85R23579 PMO-D
By: Oliverson H.B. No. 3560
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a joint interim study regarding health benefit coverage
for obesity under certain health benefit plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a) A joint interim
committee is created to study health benefit coverage for the
diagnosis and treatment of obesity provided by:
(1) group health benefit plans in the private market;
and
(2) plans and programs provided through government
entities.
(b) The committee shall be composed of:
(1) two senators appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(2) two representatives appointed by the speaker of
the house of representatives; and
(3) one member appointed by the governor, who shall
serve as the committee's presiding officer.
(c) The committee shall convene at the call of the presiding
officer.
(d) The 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.
(e) From the contingent expense fund of the senate and the
contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally,
the members of the committee are entitled to reimbursement for
expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section in
accordance with the rules of the senate and house of
representatives and the policies of the senate and house committees
on administration.
(f) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of
this Act, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the governor shall appoint the members of the
interim committee created under this section.
SECTION 2. STUDY. The committee created under Section 1 of
this Act shall, with respect to coverage for the diagnosis and
treatment of obesity provided by the plans and programs described
by Section 1(a) of this Act:
(1) study:
(A) health benefits that are currently provided
by those plans and programs; and
(B) exclusions from coverage under those plans
and programs;
(2) identify the extent to which health benefit
coverage provided is mandated or discretionary;
(3) identify diagnostic services and treatments for
which coverage is not offered by those plans and programs;
(4) determine the justifications for offering,
limiting, or excluding coverage and how decisions to offer, limit,
or exclude coverage are made;
(5) calculate and compare the direct and indirect
costs to an individual, the state, and the state economy associated
with:
(A) the provision of mandated coverage;
(B) the provision of other various levels of
coverage; and
(C) the exclusion of coverage; and
(6) identify the barriers that limit new or additional
coverage.
SECTION 3. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Not later than
January 15, 2019, the committee created under Section 1 of this Act
shall report the committee's findings and recommendations to the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the governor. The committee shall include in its
recommendations specific statutory changes, including changes to
Subtitle E, Title 8, Insurance Code, that may appear necessary or
advisable from the committee's study under Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2019.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2017.