Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3781 by Crownover (Relating to the creation of the Texas Health Improvement Network.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to create the Texas Health Improvement Network (THIN). The purpose of the THIN is the following: reduce the per capita costs of health care, improve individual experience of care, and improve the health of Texas residents. In addition, the THIN would focus on evaluating and eliminating health disparities in Texas and healthcare cost-containment strategies, function as an incubator of health improvement practices, and support local communities through leadership training, data analytics, community health assessments, and grant writing support.
The THIN would be composed of experts from the fields of study listed in the bill. The THIN would be administratively attached to The University of Texas (UT) System, who would coordinate the network and provide administrative support to the THIN as needed.
The bill would provide that the THIN may accept gifts and grants to fund the network. The bill would establish an advisory council for the network, including members appointed by the executive officer of the UT System and representatives from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Members of the advisory committee may not receive compensation for service but may be reimbursed for travel expenses if funding is provided through the General Appropriations Act for that purpose.
Based on information provided by the UT System, DSHS, and HHSC, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 783 University of Houston System Administration, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board