85R12884 SMT-D
By: Buckingham S.B. No. 1376
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a joint interim study regarding the state's response to
modifications to federal health care laws.
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 the ability in this
state to effectively respond and adapt to and implement significant
modifications to federal health care laws, regulations, and
requirements.
(b) The joint interim committee is composed of:
(1) the members of the appropriate standing committees
of the senate and the house of representatives;
(2) two members of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor; and
(3) two 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 may adopt rules necessary to
carry out the committee's duties under this section.
(f) 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 RELATING TO THE STATE'S ABILITY TO
RESPOND TO MODIFICATION OF FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAWS. (a) The joint
interim committee shall study the ability in this state to respond
and adapt to and implement significant modifications to federal
health care laws, regulations, and requirements.
(b) The committee shall collaborate with the Health and
Human Services Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, and
other appropriate agencies to conduct a comprehensive, data-driven
readiness review to:
(1) analyze the potential impact of modifications to
federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements on:
(A) state, county, and local governments
and other public entities; and
(B) health care providers, hospitals,
health benefit plans, and other private organizations and
individuals in this state;
(2) identify changes to state laws, regulations, and
requirements necessary to access or manage federal funding:
(A) from:
(i) Medicaid;
(ii) Medicare; or
(iii) a block grant funding system
established by the federal government; or
(B) authorized by a waiver issued under Section
1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315);
(3) identify legislative reforms and executive
rulemaking necessary to comply with modified federal health care
laws, regulations, and requirements; and
(4) review and assess the potential impact of proposed
federal and state policies and reforms on:
(A) overall affordability of health care
services;
(B) health care cost containment goals;
(C) patient access to physical, behavioral, and
mental health care, especially in rural or underserved areas;
(D) health care delivery systems in this state;
(E) patient outcomes;
(F) reimbursement rates to health care
providers; and
(G) workforce shortages.
(c) The joint interim committee shall prepare a report
reflecting the study required under Subsection (a) of this section
that includes proposed reforms to improve the ability in this state
to respond and adapt to and implement significant modifications to
federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements. The joint
interim committee shall include in the report recommendations of
specific statutory and regulatory changes that appear necessary
from the committee's study.
SECTION 3. COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND PROPOSED REFORMS. (a)
Not later than December 1, 2018, 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.
(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.