Texas House Bill HB1276

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the operation of health care sharing organizations.

Impact

The bill amends the Insurance Code by establishing a new chapter specific to health care sharing organizations, thus providing a regulatory structure that is separate from traditional health insurance offerings. This includes defining the roles and responsibilities of these organizations, establishing guidelines for payments among participants, and ensuring consumer protection through jurisdiction granted to the attorney general. The intent is to facilitate the growth of these organizations and clarify their legal status, which could impact the accessibility of alternative health care funding options for individuals, particularly those with faith-based affiliations.

Summary

House Bill 1276, also known as the Health Care Sharing Organizations Freedom to Share Act, is designed to legally recognize health care sharing organizations as religious organizations. The bill underscores the voluntary nature of participation in such organizations, where members assist one another with medical expenses, often serving individuals who lack health insurance. This act distinguishes health care sharing from traditional health insurance and aims to provide a framework for these organizations to operate without being subjected to the same regulations that apply to insurance companies.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding the bill related to consumer protection and the scope of oversight by the attorney general. Critics may argue that by exempting health care sharing organizations from typical insurance regulations, participants could face unmitigated risks regarding the reliability of these arrangements. Legal recognition and operational freedom for these organizations raise questions about accountability and transparency, especially in terms of financial management and the adequacy of shared funds to cover participants' medical expenses.