85S10806 DMS-D

By: Burkett H.B. No. 9

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to maternal health and safety, pregnancy-related deaths, and maternal morbidity, including postpartum depression.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 34.005, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.005. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall:

(1) study and review:

(A) cases of pregnancy-related deaths; [and]

(B) trends, rates, or disparities in pregnancy-related deaths and [in] severe maternal morbidity;

(C) health conditions and factors that disproportionately affect the most at-risk population as determined in the joint biennial report required under Section 34.015; and

(D) best practices and programs operating in other states that have reduced rates of pregnancy-related deaths;

(2) compare rates of pregnancy-related deaths based on the socioeconomic status of the mother;

(3) determine the feasibility of the task force studying cases of severe maternal morbidity; and

(4) in consultation with the Perinatal Advisory Council, [(3)] make recommendations to help reduce the incidence of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in this state.

SECTION 2. Sections 34.007(a) and (b), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The department shall determine a statistically significant number of cases of pregnancy-related deaths for review. The department shall either randomly select cases or select all cases for the task force to review under this subsection to reflect a cross-section of pregnancy-related deaths in this state.

(b) The department shall statistically analyze aggregate data of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in this state to identify any trends, rates, or disparities.

SECTION 3. Section 34.015(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The report must include the task force's recommendations under Section 34.005(4) [34.005(3)].

SECTION 4. Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 34.0155, 34.0156, and 34.0157 to read as follows:

Sec. 34.0155. REPORT ON PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS, SEVERE MATERNAL MORBIDITY, AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. The commission shall:

(1) evaluate options for reducing pregnancy-related deaths, focusing on the most prevalent causes of pregnancy-related deaths as identified in the joint biennial report required under Section 34.015, and for treating postpartum depression in economically disadvantaged women;

(2) in coordination with the department and the task force, identify strategies to:

(A) lower costs of providing medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, related to severe maternal morbidity and chronic illness; and

(B) improve quality outcomes related to the underlying causes of severe maternal morbidity and chronic illness; and

(3) not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the Legislative Budget Board, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature a written report that includes:

(A) a summary of the commission's and department's efforts to accomplish the tasks described by Subdivisions (1) and (2); and

(B) a summary of the report required by Section 34.0156.

Sec. 34.0156. MATERNAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INITIATIVE. (a) Using existing resources, the department, in collaboration with the task force, shall promote and facilitate the use among health care providers in this state of maternal health and safety informational materials, including tools and procedures related to best practices in maternal health and safety.

(b) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the department shall submit a report to the executive commissioner that includes:

(1) a summary of the initiative's implementation and outcomes; and

(2) recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the initiative.

Sec. 34.0157. FEASIBILITY STUDY RELATED TO MATERNAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INITIATIVE. (a) Using existing resources and not later than December 1, 2018, the commission shall study and determine the feasibility of adding a provider's use of procedures included in the maternal health and safety initiative described by Section 34.0156 as an indicator of quality for commission data and medical assistance quality-based payment purposes.

(b) The department shall collaborate with the commission in compiling available data and information needed to complete the feasibility study.

(c) The commission shall include the commission's determination from the feasibility study in the report required by Section 34.0155.

(d) This section expires May 1, 2019.

SECTION 5. Section 34.018, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.018. SUNSET PROVISION. The task force is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the task force is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2023 [2019].

SECTION 6. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that an additional waiver or additional authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.