Relating to the authority of a community health center to contract with or employ an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist.
Impact
The legislation is expected to impact the accessibility of eye care services in Texas, especially within community health settings. By allowing these centers to employ optometrists, the bill facilitates a more comprehensive approach to patient care, helping to address gaps in vision health services. This could lead to improved health outcomes for populations who rely on community health centers for their healthcare needs, as they would no longer need to seek eye care from separate providers, streamlining the process and enhancing patient intake of necessary services.
Summary
SB1476 seeks to modify the authority of community health centers in Texas to allow them to contract with or employ optometrists and therapeutic optometrists. This bill specifically addresses the certification process for health organizations wishing to expand their workforce to include these eye care professionals. Given the increasing demand for accessible healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, this bill aims to enhance service delivery by enabling community health centers to hire qualified optometry practitioners directly.
Contention
While the bill appears to have a positive impact on healthcare accessibility, some points of contention may arise regarding the implementation of this new authority. Concerns could include the potential for local healthcare facilities to face competition from community health centers that now can offer a wider array of services. Additionally, the costs associated with such employment and the possible need for further training or adjustments within these centers may also be debated among stakeholders in the healthcare community.
Relating to imposing requirements on the employment of or contracts for certain individuals providing services to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability, including requiring certain facilities and Medicaid providers to conduct criminal history record information and employee misconduct registry reviews and to suspend the employment or contracts of individuals who engage in reportable conduct; providing administrative penalties.
Relating to requiring state contractors, political subdivisions of this state, and private employers to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify.
Relating to local mental health authority and local behavioral health authority audits and mental and behavioral health reporting, services, and programs.
Relating to access to criminal history record information for certain employees, volunteers, and contractors, and for applicants for those positions, by the Health and Human Services Commission.