87R544 KKR-D
By: Cortez H.B. No. 280
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an action plan to expand telemedicine medical services
and telehealth services and increase access to critical medical
care and health care 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 FOR TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL
SERVICES, TELEHEALTH SERVICES, CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE, AND HEALTH
CARE SERVICES. (a) The commission shall develop and implement an
action plan to:
(1) expand the use by health care providers of
telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, and related
mobile applications for those services and increase access to those
services and applications for the residents of this state; and
(2) increase the availability of critical medical care
and health care services to residents in areas of this state
determined by the commission to be medically underserved, including
rural areas and areas adjacent to an international border.
(b) In developing and implementing the action plan, 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 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, 2023:
(A) submit to the governor and the legislature
the short-term and long-term plan recommendations, the statutory
and administrative reforms, and the funding options described in
Subsection (c) and the steps for implementing those
recommendations, reforms, and options; and
(B) begin implementing the short-term plan;
(2) not later than September 1, 2025, fully implement
the short-term plan;
(3) not later than September 1, 2031, 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.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2032.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.