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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study and report by the Health and Human Services |
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Commission on the continuity of home health services during the |
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COVID-19 pandemic. |
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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) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus |
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disease. |
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(2) "Home health service" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 142.001, Health and Safety Code. |
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(3) "Home health service provider" means a person who |
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provides home health services for compensation. |
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(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a |
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study to evaluate the impact of: |
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(1) COVID-19 on the continuity of home health services |
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provided to patients; and |
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(2) the provision of home health services on the |
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spread of COVID-19 among patients receiving the services. |
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(c) In conducting the study, the Health and Human Services |
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Commission shall: |
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(1) assess the impact of shortages in the number of |
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available home health service providers on the spread of COVID-19; |
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(2) assess the impact of the turnover rate for home |
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health service providers on the spread of COVID-19; and |
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(3) identify and assess whether any geographic regions |
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of this state have been disproportionately affected by the spread |
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of COVID-19 and the likelihood that the shortages or turnover rate |
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of home health service providers contributed to that spread. |
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(d) Not later than September 1, 2022, the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and each standing committee of the senate and house of |
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representatives having jurisdiction over public health a written |
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report on the results of the study and any recommendations for |
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legislative or other action. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |