Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3781 by Crownover (Relating to the creation of the Texas Health Improvement Network.), As Engrossed
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 participating faculty at general academic and health related public and private Texas institutions of higher education. 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 from UT System, representatives from The UT System, Texas A&M University System, University of North Texas System, Texas Tech University System, Baylor College of Medicine, 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 institutions of higher education, DSHS, and HHSC, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. It is assumed that faculty from institutions of higher education would only participate in THIN if it would not result in a negative fiscal impact; therefore, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated to institutions of higher education.
Local Government Impact
There could be a fiscal impact to a local health entity that chose to participate in the THIN or a local entity that received funding for a demonstration or pilot project. However, it is assumed that an entity would participate only if sufficient funds were available or it would not result in a negative fiscal impact; therefore, no significant fiscal impact 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