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.

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