By: Buckingham  S.B. No. 1376
         (In the Senate - Filed March 6, 2017; March 16, 2017, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services;
  April 10, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; April 10, 2017,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1376 By:  Buckingham
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to a joint interim study regarding the state's response to
  modifications to federal health care laws.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE.  (a)  A
  joint interim committee is created to study the ability in this
  state to effectively respond and adapt to and implement significant
  modifications to federal health care laws, regulations, and
  requirements.
         (b)  The joint interim committee is composed of:
               (1)  six members of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor; and
               (2)  six members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
         (c)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
  representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
  joint interim committee members.
         (d)  The joint interim committee shall convene at the joint
  call of the co-chairs.
         (e)  The joint interim committee may adopt rules necessary to
  carry out the committee's duties under this section.
         (f)  The joint interim committee has all other powers and
  duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the
  senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
  Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees
  on administration.
         SECTION 2.  INTERIM STUDY RELATING TO THE STATE'S ABILITY TO
  RESPOND TO MODIFICATION OF FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAWS. (a)  The
  joint interim committee shall study the ability in this state to
  respond and adapt to and implement significant modifications to
  federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements.
         (b)  The committee shall collaborate with the Health and
  Human Services Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, and
  other appropriate agencies to conduct a comprehensive, data-driven
  readiness review to:
               (1)  analyze the potential impact of modifications to
  federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements on:
                     (A)  state, county, and local governments and
  other public entities; and
                     (B)  health care providers, hospitals, health
  benefit plans, and other private organizations and individuals in
  this state;
               (2)  identify changes to state laws, regulations, and
  requirements necessary to access or manage federal funding:
                     (A)  from:
                           (i)  Medicaid;
                           (ii)  Medicare; or
                           (iii)  a block grant funding system
  established by the federal government; or
                     (B)  authorized by a waiver issued under Section
  1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315);
               (3)  identify legislative reforms and executive
  rulemaking necessary to comply with modified federal health care
  laws, regulations, and requirements; and
               (4)  review and assess the potential impact of proposed
  federal and state policies and reforms on:
                     (A)  overall affordability of health care
  services;
                     (B)  health care cost containment goals;
                     (C)  patient access to physical, behavioral, and
  mental health care, especially in rural or underserved areas;
                     (D)  health care delivery systems in this state;
                     (E)  patient outcomes;
                     (F)  reimbursement rates to health care
  providers; and
                     (G)  workforce shortages.
         (c)  The joint interim committee shall prepare a report
  reflecting the study required under Subsection (a) of this section
  that includes proposed reforms to improve the ability in this state
  to respond and adapt to and implement significant modifications to
  federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements. The joint
  interim committee shall include in the report recommendations of
  specific statutory and regulatory changes that appear necessary
  from the committee's study.
         SECTION 3.  COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND PROPOSED REFORMS.  
  (a)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the joint interim committee
  created under Section 1 of this Act shall submit to the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
  governor the report prepared under Section 2 of this Act.
         (b)  Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of
  this Act, the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
  representatives shall appoint the members of the joint interim
  committee in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The joint interim
  committee created under Section 1 of this Act is abolished and this
  Act expires January 20, 2019.
         SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  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 September 1, 2017.
 
  * * * * *