BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 311 82R479 MAW-D By: Seliger Intergovernmental Relations 3/3/2011 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 311
82R479 MAW-D By: Seliger
Intergovernmental Relations
3/3/2011
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 311
82R479 MAW-D
By: Seliger
Intergovernmental Relations
3/3/2011
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District (district) may appoint any doctors they consider necessary for the efficient operation of the district. The district, like many rural hospitals, has had a very hard time attracting physicians to practice in the communities it serves. Current law limits the district's ability to hire employees. S.B. 311 authorizes the district's board of directors to hire physicians or other health care providers as it deems necessary. The bill does not authorize the board of directors to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B (Physicians), Title 3 (Health Professions), Occupations Code. Being able to employ the doctors would be a great recruitment tool for the district. A number of physicians, especially those coming out of medical school, want to be employees rather than set up their own practice. They want employee benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans. Many also do not want the headache of managing a small business. If the district were able to employ physicians, it could offer them a set salary and employee benefits. As proposed, S.B. 311 amends current law relating to the authority of the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District to employ health care providers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 1071.062, Special District Local Laws Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d), as follows: (b) Authorizes the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District (board) to employ physicians, technicians, nurses, other health care providers, fiscal agents, accountants, and other necessary employees. (c) Authorizes the board to delegate to the district administrator the authority to hire employees under Subsection (b) other than physicians. (d) Prohibits this section from being construed as authorizing the board to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B (Physicians), Title 3 (Health Professions), Occupations Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District (district) may appoint any doctors they consider necessary for the efficient operation of the district. The district, like many rural hospitals, has had a very hard time attracting physicians to practice in the communities it serves. Current law limits the district's ability to hire employees.
S.B. 311 authorizes the district's board of directors to hire physicians or other health care providers as it deems necessary. The bill does not authorize the board of directors to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B (Physicians), Title 3 (Health Professions), Occupations Code.
Being able to employ the doctors would be a great recruitment tool for the district. A number of physicians, especially those coming out of medical school, want to be employees rather than set up their own practice. They want employee benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans. Many also do not want the headache of managing a small business. If the district were able to employ physicians, it could offer them a set salary and employee benefits.
As proposed, S.B. 311 amends current law relating to the authority of the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District to employ health care providers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 1071.062, Special District Local Laws Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d), as follows:
(b) Authorizes the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District (board) to employ physicians, technicians, nurses, other health care providers, fiscal agents, accountants, and other necessary employees.
(c) Authorizes the board to delegate to the district administrator the authority to hire employees under Subsection (b) other than physicians.
(d) Prohibits this section from being construed as authorizing the board to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B (Physicians), Title 3 (Health Professions), Occupations Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.