By: Otto, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 1762
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2015;
May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Veteran
Affairs and Military Installations; May 15, 2015, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 15, 2015, sent
to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a health care advocacy program for
veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.023 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.023. HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR VETERANS.
(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in:
(1) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine
corps of the United States; or
(2) the Texas National Guard as defined by Section
431.001.
(b) The commission by rule shall establish and implement a
health care advocacy program to assist veterans in gaining access
to health care facilities of the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(c) The program shall provide assistance to veterans by:
(1) resolving any access issues raised by veterans in
this state or referred to the commission by the veterans toll-free
hotline operated under Section 161.077, Natural Resources Code;
(2) coordinating with the Veterans Health
Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
to support the health care advocacy program established under this
section;
(3) coordinating with health care providers in this
state to expand providers' opportunities to treat veterans through
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
(4) reviewing and researching programs, projects, and
initiatives designed to address the health care needs of veterans;
(5) evaluating the effectiveness of the efforts of the
commission to improve access to health care services for veterans;
(6) making recommendations to the executive director
of the commission to improve health care services and assistance
for veterans;
(7) incorporating veterans' health care issues into
the commission's strategic plan required under Section 2056.002;
(8) assisting veterans in securing benefits and
services; and
(9) recommending legislative initiatives and policies
at the local, state, and national levels to address issues
affecting health care for veterans.
(d) The executive director of the commission shall appoint a
program coordinator to administer the health care advocacy program.
(e) The commission shall provide facilities as appropriate
to support the program to the extent funding is available for that
purpose.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act but not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas Veterans
Commission shall establish the health care advocacy program for
veterans as required under Section 434.023, Government Code, as
added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall adopt any
rules necessary to implement the program.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.
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