87R11253 MCF-D
By: Ortega H.B. No. 3146
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Health and Human Services
Commission on the continuity of home health services during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this Act:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease.
(2) "Home health service" has the meaning assigned by
Section 142.001, Health and Safety Code.
(3) "Home health service provider" means a person who
provides home health services for compensation.
(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a
study to evaluate the impact of:
(1) COVID-19 on the continuity of home health services
provided to patients; and
(2) the provision of home health services on the
spread of COVID-19 among patients receiving the services.
(c) In conducting the study, the Health and Human Services
Commission shall:
(1) assess the impact of shortages in the number of
available home health service providers on the spread of COVID-19;
(2) assess the impact of the turnover rate for home
health service providers on the spread of COVID-19; and
(3) identify and assess whether any geographic regions
of this state have been disproportionately affected by the spread
of COVID-19 and the likelihood that the shortages or turnover rate
of home health service providers contributed to that spread.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2022, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each standing committee of the senate and house of
representatives having jurisdiction over public health a written
report on the results of the study and any recommendations for
legislative or other action.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.