Texas House Bill HB3551

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authorization of health care providers charging a fee for the production of records associated with applications for certain assistance benefits programs.

Impact

The introduction of this bill aims to relieve health care providers from the administrative burden of producing these records without compensation, thereby creating a form of cost recovery for the resources expended in gathering and preparing documentation requested by benefit applicants. However, it stipulates that fees can only be charged once a person is determined eligible for the benefits and is already receiving them, which aims to protect those who may be financially vulnerable or unable to afford the costs upfront.

Summary

House Bill 3551 proposes to authorize health care providers to charge fees for the production of records associated with applications for various assistance benefits programs. The bill specifies that the applicable programs include financial assistance, medical assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, and certain veterans' benefits. It establishes a framework under which these fees can be imposed by health care providers, emphasizing adherence to federal law in regard to these charges.

Contention

While the bill seeks to streamline processes for health care providers, there are potential points of contention regarding the financial impact on applicants for aid programs. Critics might argue that imposing fees could act as a barrier to access for low-income individuals or families who may need documentation to qualify for critical assistance programs. Additionally, there could be concerns from advocacy groups regarding the ethics of charging fees in situations where individuals are already navigating complex bureaucratic processes to receive essential health and social services.