Texas House Bill HB1436

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to depositing revenue received by this state from undocumented immigrants to the indigent emergency medical services and preventative health care reimbursement fund.

Impact

The bill aims to amend Chapter 61 of the Health and Safety Code by establishing the Indigent Emergency Medical Services and Preventative Healthcare Reimbursement Fund. This fund would receive the first $424.7 million of revenue that the state obtains annually, before any other designations. Funds appropriated will be used to reimburse medical providers for emergency and preventative services provided to indigent persons not covered by Medicaid or other financial assistance programs.

Summary

House Bill 1436 proposes that revenue collected by the state from undocumented immigrants be directed into a dedicated fund for indigent emergency medical services and preventative healthcare. The bill recognizes that undocumented immigrants contribute an estimated $424.7 million more in annual revenue to Texas than the cost of services provided to them. The intention is to allocate this revenue to cover medical expenses for indigent individuals, many of whom are undocumented immigrants and lack health insurance.

Contention

While the bill is designed to enhance healthcare availability for indigent individuals, it may raise discussions about the ethics of funding healthcare services for undocumented immigrants using state revenue. Opponents might express concern regarding the implications of providing state support to individuals residing unlawfully in the country, viewing it as a contentious allocation of resources. Supporters, on the other hand, would argue that it recognizes the significant financial contribution of undocumented immigrants while addressing a critical gap in healthcare access for vulnerable populations.