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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on freestanding emergency medical care |
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facilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services |
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Commission. |
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(2) "Facility" means a freestanding emergency medical |
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care facility licensed under Chapter 254, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b) The commission shall conduct a study on freestanding |
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emergency medical care facilities that: |
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(1) reviews the impact facilities have on medically |
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underserved and rural areas of this state; |
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(2) reviews the impact facilities have on rural |
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hospitals in this state; |
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(3) reviews the impact facilities have on hospital |
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emergency rooms in this state; |
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(4) reviews complaints filed against facilities; |
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(5) examines the reasons facilities have closed; |
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(6) examines the reasons facilities have filed |
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petitions for bankruptcy; |
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(7) examines patient protections provided by |
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facilities and patient health care coverage available at the |
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facilities; |
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(8) examines the location of facilities, the growth |
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patterns of new facilities, and the proximity of the new facilities |
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to hospital emergency rooms; and |
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(9) identifies gaps in emergency medical care |
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treatment that are filled by facilities. |
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(c) Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall |
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prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of |
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the house of representatives, and members of the legislature a |
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written report that includes a summary of the results of the study |
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conducted under this section and any legislative recommendations |
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based on the study. |
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(d) This Act expires September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |