Texas Senate Bill SB1359

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a pilot program for the provision of health coverage for school district employees in certain school districts.

Impact

The bill modifies existing provisions under the Texas Insurance Code to offer more flexibility for large school districts looking to manage their employee health coverage. By allowing these select districts to create a tailored health coverage program, it could significantly affect how health benefits are structured, potentially improving employee satisfaction and stability within the workforce. The necessity for districts to report the effectiveness of the health coverage program within the first three years highlights a commitment to accountability and data-driven policy adjustments, ensuring the initiative meets its goals of improving health outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 1359 establishes a pilot program aimed at providing health coverage specifically for school district employees within certain large school districts in Texas. It allows school districts with the second largest student enrollment in counties with over 1.8 million residents to withdraw from a previously mandated program to create their own health coverage scheme. This provision is targeted at enhancing the healthcare options available to educational staff in these larger districts, reflecting a growing concern for employee welfare and retention within the education sector.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the withdrawal from existing health programs, especially concerning how this might impact coverage for school employees who return to a state-managed program. Critics may argue that this bill could fragment health coverage options, making it more difficult for employees to navigate their benefits and undermining collective bargaining agreements that could ensure equitable access to healthcare. Additionally, the parameters set for withdrawal and the timeline for rejoining the previous program could be seen as restrictive or problematic, particularly for districts that might struggle with the implementation of independent health plans.