82R9400 RWG-D
By: McClendon H.B. No. 2024
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the health benefit plan innovations
program in the Texas Department of Insurance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 5, Insurance Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 525 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 525. HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN INNOVATIONS PROGRAM
Sec. 525.001. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. (a) The department
shall develop and implement a health benefit plan innovations
program to study the number of uninsured individuals in this state,
the reasons those individuals are uninsured, and possible solutions
that would expand access to affordable health benefit plan coverage
in this state.
(b) The department shall use department employees already
employed in the consumer protection division of the department to
implement the program. The department may not hire full-time
employees whose primary job functions would solely be
implementation of the program.
Sec. 525.002. PROGRAM COMPONENTS. (a) Except as provided
by Subsection (b), the program implemented under this chapter must:
(1) collect and analyze data concerning the number,
age, and demographic characteristics of uninsured individuals in
this state;
(2) identify the reasons why individuals in this state
are uninsured;
(3) examine and evaluate the effectiveness of programs
implemented in other states to reduce the number of uninsured
residents in those states;
(4) monitor and evaluate the health benefit market in
this state and determine whether residents of this state have
sufficient access to a variety of health benefit plan products to
ensure adequate health benefit plan coverage; and
(5) make recommendations to the department and to the
legislature concerning programs or initiatives to be implemented in
this state to reduce the number of uninsured residents in this
state.
(b) The program must supplement and may not duplicate a
service or function of another existing program or state agency and
shall refer consumers to other programs and agencies where
appropriate.
(c) The program may:
(1) operate a statewide clearinghouse for objective
consumer information about health care coverage, including options
for obtaining health care coverage;
(2) collect, track, and quantify problems and
inquiries encountered by consumers;
(3) educate consumers on their rights and
responsibilities with respect to group health plans and health
insurance coverages;
(4) provide existing health-related information to
the general public and health care providers to improve the quality
of and access to health care; and
(5) establish an advisory committee composed of state
agencies to increase collaboration and coordination of
health-related programs and benefits.
(d) The department shall coordinate program components that
involve market and cost research or data collection and analysis
with health benefit plan issuers and the Health and Human Services
Commission to ensure the collection and analysis of complete and
accurate information.
Sec. 525.003. REPORT. The department shall include in its
biennial report to the legislature under Section 32.022 the
program's findings concerning the information and recommendations
described by Section 525.002.
Sec. 525.004. FUNDING. The department may accept gifts,
donations, and grants from the federal government or any private
party, including a health benefit plan issuer or a foundation
associated with a health benefit plan issuer, to assist with
funding the program. The department shall adopt rules governing
acceptance of donations that are consistent with Chapter 575,
Government Code. Before adopting rules under this section, the
department shall:
(1) submit the proposed rules to the Texas Ethics
Commission for review; and
(2) consider that commission's recommendations
regarding the proposed rules.
Sec. 525.005. RULES. The commissioner may adopt rules as
necessary to implement this chapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.