85R7221 KKR-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 2134
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a plan to increase the use of telemedicine medical
services and telehealth services in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. PLAN TO EXPAND TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL SERVICES AND
TELEHEALTH SERVICES
Sec. 1001.251. ACTION PLAN. (a) The department, with the
assistance of the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas Medical
Association, teaching hospitals, and the statewide health
coordinating council, shall develop and implement an action plan
to:
(1) expand the use of telemedicine medical services,
telehealth services, and related mobile applications for those
services to increase access by residents of this state to health
care providers; and
(2) increase the availability of critical medical care
and health care services to residents in this state in areas
determined by the department to be medically underserved, including
the border region and rural areas.
(b) The department shall consult with health care
providers, advocacy groups, relevant federal agencies, and any
other interested persons the department considers necessary to
develop the action plan required by this section.
Sec. 1001.252. PLAN REQUIREMENTS. (a) The action plan
developed under Section 1001.251 must include:
(1) short-term and long-term plan recommendations,
including policy initiatives and reforms necessary to implement the
plan;
(2) statutory and administrative changes necessary to
implement the plan; and
(3) options for the funding necessary to implement the
plan.
(b) The department shall:
(1) not later than September 1, 2019:
(A) submit to the governor and the legislature
the recommendations, the statutory and administrative changes, and
the funding options described in Subsection (a) and short-term and
long-term plans to implement those recommendations, changes, and
options; and
(B) begin implementing the short-term plan;
(2) not later than September 1, 2021, fully implement
the short-term plan;
(3) not later than September 1, 2027, fully implement
the long-term plan; and
(4) include the short-term and long-term plans in the
material the department prepares for consideration of the
commission in connection with the update of the strategic plan for
health and human services under Section 531.022, Government Code.
Sec. 1001.253. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
September 1, 2027.
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, 2017.