By: Kolkhorst, Walle, et al. H.B. No. 1983
(Senate Sponsor - Nelson)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2011;
May 9, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 13, 2011, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 13, 2011, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain childbirths occurring before the 39th week of
gestation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.0313 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.0313. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS
BEFORE 39TH WEEK. (a) The department shall achieve cost savings
with improved outcomes by adopting and implementing quality
initiatives that are evidence-based, tested, and fully consistent
with established standards of clinical care and that are designed
to reduce the number of elective or nonmedically indicated induced
deliveries or cesarean sections performed at a hospital on a
medical assistance recipient before the 39th week of gestation.
(b) The department shall coordinate with physicians,
hospitals, managed care organizations, and the department's
billing contractor for the medical assistance program to develop a
process for collecting information regarding the number of induced
deliveries and cesarean sections described by Subsection (a) that
occur during prescribed periods.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 241.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 241.007. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS
BEFORE 39TH WEEK. A hospital that provides obstetrical services
shall collaborate with physicians providing services at the
hospital to develop quality initiatives to reduce the number of
elective or nonmedically indicated induced deliveries or cesarean
sections performed at the hospital on a woman before the 39th week
of gestation.
SECTION 3. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission
shall conduct a study to assess the effects of the quality
initiatives adopted under Section 32.0313, Human Resources Code, as
added by this Act, and Section 241.007, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, on infant health and frequency of infant
admissions to neonatal intensive care units and hospital
readmissions for mothers and infants.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2012, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall submit a written report containing the
findings of the study conducted under this section together with
the commission's recommendations to the standing committees of the
senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction
over public health.
SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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