82R2395 KEL-F
By: Gonzales of Hidalgo H.B. No. 393
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to physician shortage residency training programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter I-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I-1. CONTRACTS FOR PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE RESIDENCY
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Sec. 61.511. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Approved physician shortage residency training
program" means a graduate medical education program that:
(A) is operated by a medical school, licensed
hospital, or nonprofit corporation; and
(B) has been approved for training physicians in
a physician shortage area identified by the Physician Shortage
Residency Advisory Committee.
(2) "Medical school" means:
(A) a medical school that is part of The
University of Texas System, the Texas Tech University System, The
Texas A&M University System, or the University of North Texas
System; or
(B) the Baylor College of Medicine.
Sec. 61.512. CONTRACTS. The board may contract with a
medical school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation for the
purpose of establishing and operating an approved physician
shortage residency training program and may compensate the medical
school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation using a formula
that is approved by the board and based on the number of resident
physicians in the training program.
Sec. 61.513. RULES. The board shall adopt rules to
implement this subchapter.
Sec. 61.514. DISBURSEMENTS. (a) Pursuant to a contract,
the board may disburse through the designated project director to a
medical school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation funds
for the purpose of the graduate training of physicians in an
approved physician shortage residency training program. The
project director of the residency training program shall, in
accordance with board rules, make timely reports directly to the
board concerning the development and progress of the residency
training program.
(b) The board by contract may establish the method or manner
of the disbursement to the project director.
Sec. 61.515. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The Physician
Shortage Residency Advisory Committee consists of nine members as
follows:
(1) one member, appointed by the Texas Osteopathic
Medical Association, who must be a licensed physician;
(2) two members, appointed by the Texas Hospital
Association, who must be hospital administrators;
(3) two members, appointed by the Texas Medical
Association, who must be licensed physicians;
(4) one member representing the statewide health
coordinating council appointed by the presiding officer of the
council; and
(5) three members of the public appointed by the
governor.
(b) Each member serves a three-year term. Each member may
continue to serve after the expiration of the member's term until a
replacement for the member is appointed to the committee.
(c) The members of the committee serve without
compensation, but are entitled to be reimbursed by the board for
actual expenses incurred in the performance of duties as members of
the committee.
(d) The committee shall meet at least annually and as
otherwise requested by the board or called into meeting by the
presiding officer of the committee.
(e) The presiding officer of the committee is elected
annually by the members of the committee.
(f) The committee shall:
(1) review data from the statewide health coordinating
council and other resources to identify physician shortage areas in
this state;
(2) to assist the board, review applications for
approval and funding of physician shortage residency training
programs and related support programs;
(3) make recommendations to the board that relate to
the disbursement of funds under this subchapter and that are based
on the following criteria:
(A) whether a program would expand training
opportunities in medical specialty areas in which there is a
physician shortage in this state;
(B) whether a program would be located in a
medically underserved community in this state;
(C) whether a program is in a specialty area in
which a substantial number of graduates of medical schools have
left this state to pursue training in that specialty area; or
(D) whether a program would undertake innovative
approaches to residency training, such as extensive use of
ambulatory facilities or the creation of medical homes for
patients; and
(4) perform any other duties as may be directed by the
board.
Sec. 61.516. FUNDING. The board may:
(1) receive and expend appropriations for purposes of
this subchapter, including funds generated by fees charged under
Chapter 153, Occupations Code, in excess of the amount needed for
the purposes authorized by Section 153.052(b), Occupations Code;
and
(2) accept gifts, grants, and donations of real or
personal property from any entity, subject to limitations or
conditions set by law, for the purposes of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. The heading to Subchapter I, Chapter 61,
Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. CONTRACTS FOR FAMILY PRACTICE [MEDICAL] RESIDENCY
PROGRAMS
SECTION 3. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall adopt rules to implement Subchapter I-1, Chapter 61,
Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,
2012.
SECTION 4. 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.