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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's authority |
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to contract with federal agencies to provide healthcare to |
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veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 74, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 741.761 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 74.761. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PATIENTS. (a) The |
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medical school may enter into one or more contracts with the U.S. |
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Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") to provide medical and mental |
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health treatment to residents of the county or service area who are |
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otherwise eligible for the VA's health care assistance. |
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(b) The medical school is encouraged to contribute money, |
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property, and other resources to establish, maintain, and operate a |
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veteran's hospital or provide medical and mental health care to |
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area veterans in accordance with Section 73, Article XVI, Texas |
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Constitution. |
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(c) In complying with this section, the medical school may |
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prioritize medical and mental health services that eliminate access |
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to care issues and reduce wait times by providing an increased level |
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of inpatient and outpatient care for veterans: |
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(1)who would be forced to travel more than 200 miles for |
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healthcare; or |
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(2)who cannot access specialty or primary care in the |
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service area. |
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(d) To the extent possible, the medical school must spread |
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any available medical and mental health care for veterans |
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throughout the service region. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |