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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a strategic plan for expanding access to |
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long-acting reversible contraception. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
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Services. |
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(2) "Long-acting reversible contraception" means a |
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method of birth control that provides effective contraception for |
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an extended period without requiring user action. The term |
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includes an injection, intrauterine device, and subdermal |
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contraceptive implant. |
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(3) "Plan" means the long-acting reversible |
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contraception strategic plan established under this section. |
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(b) The department shall develop the long-acting reversible |
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contraception strategic plan to significantly reduce barriers to |
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patient access to long-acting reversible contraception. The plan |
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must include specific methods for accomplishing this goal. |
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(c) In developing the plan, the department shall |
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collaborate with the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and |
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Babies and may convene any necessary workgroup. The members of a |
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workgroup convened under this section may include: |
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(1) obstetricians; |
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(2) hospital personnel; |
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(3) recipients of long-acting reversible |
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contraceptives; |
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(4) public advocates concerned with issues related to |
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long-acting reversible contraceptives; |
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(5) representatives of community-based and |
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faith-based organizations involved in providing education, |
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awareness, or support relating to long-acting reversible |
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contraceptives; and |
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(6) any other person the department determines has the |
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necessary knowledge or experience. |
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(d) In developing the plan, the department shall: |
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(1) identify barriers for Medicaid recipients and |
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those without health benefit plan coverage to access to a |
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long-acting reversible contraceptive, including specific barriers |
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related to: |
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(A) health care provider billing and |
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reimbursement procedures; and |
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(B) training of health care providers regarding |
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the provision of a long-acting reversible contraceptive; |
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(2) review potential costs, challenges, and benefits |
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of presumptive eligibility strategies and identify methods for |
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covering, defraying, or minimizing those costs; |
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(3) develop methods for creating partnerships with |
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public and private entities to increase public and provider |
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education and awareness concerning long-acting reversible |
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contraceptives; and |
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(4) make written recommendations to the legislature on |
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policy changes and funding needed to implement the plan. |
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(e) Not later than December 31, 2018, the department shall |
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deliver to the governor and members of the legislature the plan |
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developed under this section and recommendations on quality |
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improvement and goal implementation related to the plan. |
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(f) This Act expires June 1, 2019. |
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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 the 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, 2017. |