By: Rose H.B. No. 1488
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to sickle cell disease health care improvement and the
  sickle cell task force.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 533.0091 to read as follows:
         Sec. 533.0091.  SICKLE CELL DISEASE TREATMENT. (a) To the
  extent possible, the commission shall:
               (1)  in collaboration with the sickle cell task force
  established under Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code:
                     (A)  ensure that health care services provided
  under a managed care plan to recipients diagnosed with sickle cell
  disease align with national clinical practice guidelines and
  protocols for sickle cell disease treatment; and
                     (B)  address sickle cell disease education for
  Medicaid providers, including emergency room providers; and
               (2)  use the commission's existing data to identify
  opportunities for improving health outcomes of recipients
  diagnosed with sickle cell disease by:
                     (A)  reducing hospital admissions and
  readmissions; and
                     (B)  connecting those recipients to a sickle cell
  disease health home or sickle cell disease expert.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 52.0003 and 52.0007, Health and Safety
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 52.0003.  COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is
  composed of the following members appointed by the executive
  commissioner:
               (1)  two members from community-based organizations
  with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle
  cell disease;
               (2)  two physicians specializing in hematology;
               (3)  two members of the public, each of whom either has
  sickle cell disease or is a parent of a person with sickle cell
  disease or trait; [and]
               (4)  one representative of a health-related
  institution;
               (5)  one representative of the Texas Education Agency;
  and
               (6)  one representative of the commission.
         Sec. 52.0007.  ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1
  of each year, the task force shall prepare and submit to the
  governor and the legislature an annual written report that
  summarizes the task force's work and includes any recommended
  actions or policy changes endorsed by the task force.
         (b)  The task force shall, in collaboration with the
  commission, include in the task force's annual report
  recommendations for improving sickle cell disease education for
  health care providers.
         SECTION 3.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 52A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 52A. SICKLE CELL DISEASE CARE EDUCATION AND TREATMENT
         Sec. 52A.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "sickle cell
  task force" means the sickle cell task force established under
  Chapter 52.
         Sec. 52A.002.  EMERGENCY AND PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE GRADUATE
  MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM. (a) In this section,
  "graduate medical education program" and "medical school" have the
  meanings assigned by Section 58A.001, Education Code.
         (b)  A medical school in this state that offers an emergency
  medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine residency program
  shall examine and incorporate to the extent possible in the
  curriculum requirements for the program education focused on sickle
  cell disease and sickle cell trait. The medical school may enter
  into agreements as necessary for the purposes of this section.
         Sec. 52A.005.  INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
  PERSONNEL. (a) To the extent possible, the Texas Education Agency
  shall collaborate with sickle cell disease community-based
  organizations to provide information on sickle cell disease and
  sickle cell trait to public school districts and district staff,
  including school nurses, teachers, and coaches.
         (b)  The commission in collaboration with the sickle cell
  task force shall explore methods for improving sickle cell disease
  education and awareness within the public school system and provide
  recommendations to the Texas Education Agency on the improvement
  methods.
         SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall appoint the new members of the sickle
  cell task force as required by Section 52.0003, Health and Safety
  Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  Section 52A.004, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act, applies to residents entering an emergency
  medicine, family medicine, or internal residency program at a
  medical school in this state on or after January 1, 2024.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.