86R4312 KKR-D
By: Cortez H.B. No. 1782
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. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.021611 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.021611. ACTION PLAN TO EXPAND TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL
SERVICES AND TELEHEALTH SERVICES. (a) The commission shall
develop and implement an action plan to:
(1) expand the use of and increase access to
telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, and related
mobile applications for those services by health care providers for
the residents of this state; and
(2) increase the availability of critical medical care
and health care services to residents in this state in areas
determined by the commission to be medically underserved, including
the border region and rural areas.
(b) In developing and implementing the action plan under
Subsection (a), the commission shall:
(1) seek the assistance of the Texas Hospital
Association, the Texas Medical Association, teaching hospitals,
and the statewide health coordinating council; and
(2) consult with health care providers, advocacy
groups, relevant federal agencies, and any other interested persons
the commission considers necessary to develop the action plan
required by this section.
(c) The action plan developed under Subsection (a) must
include:
(1) short-term and long-term plan recommendations,
including policy initiatives and reforms necessary to implement the
plan;
(2) statutory and administrative reforms necessary to
implement the plan; and
(3) options for the funding necessary to implement the
plan.
(d) The commission shall:
(1) not later than September 1, 2021:
(A) submit to the governor and the legislature
the recommendations, the statutory and administrative reforms, and
the funding options described in Subsection (c) and short-term and
long-term plans to implement those recommendations, reforms, and
options; and
(B) begin implementing the short-term plan;
(2) not later than September 1, 2023, fully implement
the short-term plan;
(3) not later than September 1, 2029, fully implement
the long-term plan; and
(4) include the short-term and long-term plans in the
update of the strategic plan for health and human services under
Section 531.022, Government Code.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2030.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.