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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to operation by certain nonprofit organizations of certain |
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regional health care programs for employees of small employers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 75.051, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) A community-based nonprofit organization may establish |
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or participate in a regional health care program under this |
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subchapter without the participation of the commissioners court of |
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a county if the program is a premium assistance program not offering |
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health care services or health care benefits. |
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SECTION 2. Section 75.052(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A regional health care program may be operated subject |
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to the direct governance of the commissioners courts of the |
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participating counties or, for a program operating under Section |
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75.051(c), a nonprofit organization. A local health care program |
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may be operated subject to the direct governance of the |
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commissioners court of the participating county. A regional or |
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local health care program may be operated by a joint council, |
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tax-exempt nonprofit entity, or other entity that: |
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(1) operates the program under a contract with the |
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commissioners court or courts, as applicable; [or] |
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(2) is an entity in which the county or counties |
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participate or that is established or designated by the |
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commissioners court or courts, as applicable, to operate the |
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program; or |
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(3) for a program operating under Section 75.051(c), |
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is a participating nonprofit organization. |
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SECTION 3. Section 75.101, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 75.101. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED; PROGRAM |
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OBJECTIVES. In developing a regional or local health care program, |
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a governing body may provide health care services or benefits as |
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described by this subchapter or may develop another type of program |
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to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. A regional or local |
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health care program must be developed, to the extent practicable, |
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to: |
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(1) reduce the number of individuals without health |
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benefit plan coverage within the boundaries of the participating |
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county or counties or, for a program operating under Section |
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75.051(c), in a county in which a participating nonprofit |
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organization operates; |
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(2) address rising health care costs and reduce the |
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cost of health care services or health benefit plan coverage for |
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small employers and their employees within the boundaries of the |
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participating county or counties or, for a program operating under |
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Section 75.051(c), in a county in which a participating nonprofit |
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organization operates; |
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(3) promote preventive care and reduce the incidence |
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of preventable health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, |
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and diabetes and low birth weight in infants; |
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(4) promote efficient and collaborative delivery of |
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health care services; |
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(5) serve as a model for the innovative use of health |
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information technology to promote efficient delivery of health care |
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services, reduce health care costs, and improve the health of the |
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community; and |
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(6) provide fair payment rates for health care |
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providers. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |