By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 1966
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to identification and implementation of hospital funding
solutions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02117 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02117. HOSPITAL FUNDING SOLUTIONS. (a) The
commission, in consultation with the Department of State Health
Services, shall conduct a study to identify solutions for
stabilizing hospital funding in the state that at minimum
considers:
(1) Medicaid reimbursements paid to hospitals in this
state for services provided by the hospitals; and
(2) payments made under the disproportionate share
hospitals supplemental payment program to hospitals in this state.
(b) The commission, in consultation with the Department of
State Health Services and based on the study conducted under this
section, shall develop proposals designed to provide long-term
funding solutions related to the Medicaid program for hospitals in
this state. To the extent authorized by law and with prior written
approval from the Legislative Budget Board and the Governor, the
commission may implement the proposals.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2016, the commission shall
submit a report based on the study conducted and proposals
developed under this section to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the legislature. The report must:
(1) describe the proposals developed under Subsection
(b) and:
(A) identify the proposals the commission has
implemented; and
(B) for each proposal the commission has not
implemented, identify any changes in law necessary for
implementation.
(d) The commission may adopt rules as necessary to implement
this section.
(g) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. 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.