By: Rose, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Miles) H.B. No. 1488

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 11, 2023; April 12, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; May 8, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 8, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

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. 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) support initiatives to assist managed care plans in promoting timely, evidence-informed health care services to plan enrollees diagnosed with sickle cell disease to ensure the services reflect national clinical practice guidelines and protocols for sickle cell disease treatment and meet medical necessity criteria; and

(B) address sickle cell disease education for Medicaid providers, including emergency department providers, by collaborating with medical specialty organizations in this state, state agencies, and health-related institutions to promote existing or new continuing education courses or facilitate development of any necessary new courses to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of sickle cell disease and the personal treatment of patients with sickle cell disease; 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) three [two] members of the public, one of whom has sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait and two [each] of whom either have [has] sickle cell disease or are [is] a parent of a person with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait; [and]

(4) one representative of a health-related institution;

(5) one representative of the Texas Education Agency;

(6) one representative of the commission;

(7) one physician with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait;

(8) one researcher from a public health-related or academic institution with experience addressing sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait; and

(9) one health care professional with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait.

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. Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 52.0008 to read as follows:

Sec. 52.0008. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this chapter expires August 31, 2035.

SECTION 4. 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 or graduate medical education program in this state that offers an emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics, or pediatrics residency program shall examine and, to the extent possible, incorporate in the curriculum requirements for the program education focused on sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. The medical school or graduate medical education program may enter into agreements as necessary for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 52A.003. INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL. (a) To the extent possible, the Texas Education Agency in collaboration with sickle cell disease community-based organizations shall 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 5. 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 6. Section 52A.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies to residents entering an emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics, or pediatrics residency program at a medical school or graduate medical education program in this state on or after January 1, 2024.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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