84R24748 KEL-D
By: Davis of Harris, Zerwas H.B. No. 2131
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2131:
By: Crownover C.S.H.B. No. 2131
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of centers of excellence to achieve
healthy fetal outcomes in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
FOR FETAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
Sec. 32.071. DESIGNATION OF CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FETAL
DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY. (a) The department, in consultation with
the Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy Advisory Council, shall designate
as centers of excellence for fetal diagnosis and therapy one or more
health care entities in this state that provide comprehensive
maternal, fetal, and neonatal health care for pregnant women with
high-risk pregnancies complicated by one or more fetuses with
anomalies, with genetic conditions, or with compromise caused by a
pregnancy condition or by exposure.
(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission, in consultation with the department and the
Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy Advisory Council, shall adopt rules
establishing the criteria necessary for a health care entity in
this state to be designated as a center of excellence for fetal
diagnosis and therapy.
Sec. 32.072. ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) The executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
appoint the Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy Advisory Council to advise
the department in the designation of centers of excellence for
fetal diagnosis and therapy.
(b) The advisory council must consist of individuals with
expertise in fetal diagnosis and therapy. A majority of the members
of the advisory council must practice in those areas in a health
profession in this state. The advisory council may include national
and international experts.
Sec. 32.073. PRIORITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CENTER
DESIGNATIONS. The rules adopted under Section 32.071(b) must
prioritize awarding a designation under this subchapter to a health
care entity that:
(1) offers fetal diagnosis and therapy through an
extensive multi-specialty clinical program that is affiliated and
collaborates extensively with a medical school in this state and an
associated hospital facility that provides advanced maternal and
neonatal care;
(2) demonstrates a significant commitment to research
in and advancing the field of fetal diagnosis and therapy;
(3) offers advanced training programs in fetal
diagnosis and therapy; and
(4) integrates an advanced fetal care program with a
program that provides appropriate long-term monitoring and
follow-up care for patients.
Sec. 32.074. QUALIFICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION. The rules
adopted under Section 32.071(b) must ensure that a designation
under this subchapter is based directly on a health care entity's
ability to:
(1) achieve cost-effectiveness in health care
treatment;
(2) implement and maintain a cohesive
multidisciplinary structure for its health care team;
(3) meet acceptable thresholds of patient volume and
physician experience;
(4) monitor short-term and long-term patient
diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes; and
(5) provide to the department annual reports based on
those outcomes and make those reports available to the public.
SECTION 2. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section
32.071, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later than
December 1, 2015.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, the Department of
State Health Services shall begin awarding designations required by
Subchapter D, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as added by this
Act, to health care entities establishing eligibility under that
subchapter.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.