BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4743
89R14531 MPF-D	By: Bonnen; Bucy (Campbell)
	Health & Human Services
	5/12/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, with Texans experiencing one of the highest rates of stroke in the nation. An estimated 1.9 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated, leading to significant loss of function. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving survival rates and reducing the long-term impact of strokes.

Mobile stroke units (MSUs) offer a promising solution. These specialized ambulances are equipped with a CT scanner and staffed by a team capable of diagnosing and treating stroke patients on-site. By evaluating patients in the field, MSU teams can more quickly administer life-saving interventions�such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)�which have been shown to improve patient outcomes and prevent lasting loss of function.

MSUs provide faster stroke treatment by reducing response times by over 30 minutes compared to hospital-based care. Studies, including one published in JAMA, show that MSUs increase the likelihood of patients receiving treatment within the first hour of symptom onset, leading to better recovery and reduced long-term disability. MSUs also lower long-term healthcare costs by minimizing stroke severity and extend critical care access to rural and remote areas where timely treatment is often unavailable.

Key Provisions:

H.B. 4743 amends Section 241.023 of the Health and Safety Code to allow the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue a single hospital license that covers both a hospital and its MSU, as long as a CMS-approved health care accreditation organization accredits the MSU.

H.B. 4743 amends current law relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 241.023, Health and Safety Code, by amending Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) and adding Subsection (h), as follows:

(c-1) Authorizes the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to issue one license for multiple facilities in certain circumstances, including for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital if the mobile stroke unit is accredited by a health care accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

(c-2) Makes a conforming change to this subsection.

(h) Provides that Subsection (g) (relating to requiring that a license be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises) does not apply to a license issued to a mobile stroke unit of a hospital under Subsection (c-1)(2) (relating to authorizing DSHS to issue one license for a hospital and mobile stroke unit if the mobile stroke unit is accredited).

SECTION 2. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 241.023(c-1), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.