Texas House Bill HB1310

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the exclusion from total revenue of the cost of certain vaccines for purposes of the franchise tax.

Impact

The bill is designed to promote healthcare service provision by incentivizing physician practices to continue offering vaccinations and related health services. As healthcare increasingly emphasizes preventive measures like vaccinations, the financial support afforded by this bill may encourage more practices to participate in vaccination efforts. This support intends to enhance public health outcomes by increasing access to vaccines, especially in regions where immunization rates may lag behind state or national averages.

Summary

House Bill 1310 aims to amend the Texas Tax Code to allow for the exclusion of certain vaccine costs from total revenue calculations for franchise tax purposes. This provision specifically targets physician practices, enabling them to exclude the actual costs incurred for vaccines from their reported revenue. By effectively reducing the taxable revenue of these practices, HB1310 seeks to alleviate financial burdens associated with vaccine procurement and administration, particularly beneficial for those providing healthcare services in underserved areas.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB1310 could involve discussions about the implications of tax incentives on healthcare delivery and equity. Critics may argue that while tax exclusions can support physician practices, they could inadvertently create a disparity in healthcare funding if larger, more financially robust organizations disproportionately benefit from such provisions. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding how the implementation of these exclusions might affect overall state revenue and whether the long-term benefits to public health justify the potential short-term losses in tax revenue.