85R11260 PMO-D
By: Burrows H.B. No. 1994
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a joint interim committee to study
health care costs and the transparency of health care costs and
health benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a) A
joint interim committee is created to study, review, and report on
health care costs and the transparency of health care costs and
health benefits, as provided by Section 2 of this Act, and propose
reforms under that section to reduce health care costs and increase
transparency of health care costs and health benefits, including
health benefits or coverage provided under Chapters 1551, 1575,
1579, and 1601, Insurance Code.
(b) The joint interim committee shall be composed of three
senators appointed by the lieutenant governor and three members of
the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives.
(c) The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
joint interim committee members.
(d) The joint interim committee shall convene at the joint
call of the co-chairs.
(e) The joint interim committee has all other powers and
duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the
senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees
on administration.
SECTION 2. INTERIM STUDY REGARDING CERTAIN HEALTH CARE
COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY OF HEALTH CARE COSTS AND HEALTH BENEFITS.
(a) The joint interim committee created by Section 1 of this Act
shall study data and other information, including aggregate
reimbursement rates submitted to the Texas Department of Insurance
under Subchapter H, Chapter 38, Insurance Code, to examine and
analyze health care costs and the transparency of health care costs
and health benefits, including health benefits or coverage provided
under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601, Insurance Code.
(b) The joint interim committee shall propose reforms based
on the study required under Subsection (a) of this section to reduce
health care costs and increase the transparency of health care
costs and health benefits.
(c) The joint interim committee shall prepare a report of
the findings and proposed reforms that maintains confidentiality in
accordance with Section 38.356, Insurance Code.
SECTION 3. COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND PROPOSED REFORMS. (a)
Not later than January 15, 2019, the joint interim committee
created under Section 1 of this Act shall submit to the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
governor the report prepared under Section 2 of this Act. The joint
interim committee shall include in its report recommendations of
specific statutory and regulatory changes that appear necessary
from the committee's study under Section 2 of this Act.
(b) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of
this Act, the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
representatives shall appoint the members of the joint interim
committee in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.
SECTION 4. ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The joint interim
committee created under Section 1 of this Act is abolished and this
Act expires January 20, 2019.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2017.