BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1490

By: Dean

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency in prices for hospital services. While requirements for hospitals to disclose the prices of health care services exist under certain federal rules, it has been suggested that these rules could change suddenly, further limiting transparency and consumer knowledge. There have been calls to codify this requirement to ensure transparency efforts regarding health care services are maintained and enforceable in Texas. H.B. 1490 seeks to address this issue by requiring certain hospitals to disclose the cash price for each service regularly provided by the hospital.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1490 amends the Health and Safety Code to require a hospital that is state licensed or that is owned or operated by the state or a state agency to disclose its cash price for each health care service it regularly provides by posting the prices on its website, or by providing the prices in writing to any requestor if it does not have a website.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.