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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to emergency medical services subscription programs and |
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reciprocity agreements between certain air ambulance companies |
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operating a subscription program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 773.011, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (b) and (e) and adding Subsections |
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(d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows: |
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(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules |
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establishing minimum standards for the creation and operation of a |
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subscription program. The rules must: |
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(1) ensure the protection of public health and safety; |
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and |
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(2) for an air ambulance subscription program: |
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(A) ensure compliance with federal laws and rules |
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related to air ambulance subscription program services; and |
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(B) establish minimum standards and objectives |
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for the delivery of air ambulance emergency medical services |
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provided in accordance with a reciprocity agreement entered into |
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under Subsection (d-1). |
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(d-1) To ensure maximum geographic coverage for patients |
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covered under an air ambulance subscription program, an air |
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ambulance company that operates a subscription program in a service |
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delivery area shall, in accordance with executive commissioner |
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rules, enter into a reciprocity agreement with each other air |
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ambulance company that operates a subscription program in that |
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area. |
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(d-2) An air ambulance company operating a subscription |
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program is exempt from the application of Subsection (d-1) if the |
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company: |
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(1) does not own any emergency medical services |
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vehicles; and |
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(2) pays for all out-of-pocket expenses related to |
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emergency medical services provided in this country by any |
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emergency medical services provider. |
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(e) The Insurance Code does not apply to a subscription |
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program established or a reciprocity agreement entered into under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement |
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Section 773.011, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022. |