By: Rose H.B. No. 1488
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to sickle cell disease health care improvement and the
sickle cell task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 533.0091 to read as follows:
Sec. 533.0091. SICKLE CELL DISEASE TREATMENT. (a) To the
extent possible, the commission shall:
(1) in collaboration with the sickle cell task force
established under Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code:
(A) ensure that health care services provided
under a managed care plan to recipients diagnosed with sickle cell
disease align with national clinical practice guidelines and
protocols for sickle cell disease treatment; and
(B) address sickle cell disease education for
Medicaid providers, including emergency room providers; and
(2) use the commission's existing data to identify
opportunities for improving health outcomes of recipients
diagnosed with sickle cell disease by:
(A) reducing hospital admissions and
readmissions; and
(B) connecting those recipients to a sickle cell
disease health home or sickle cell disease expert.
SECTION 2. Sections 52.0003 and 52.0007, Health and Safety
Code, are amended to read as follows:
Sec. 52.0003. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is
composed of the following members appointed by the executive
commissioner:
(1) two members from community-based organizations
with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle
cell disease;
(2) two physicians specializing in hematology;
(3) two members of the public, each of whom either has
sickle cell disease or is a parent of a person with sickle cell
disease or trait; [and]
(4) one representative of a health-related
institution;
(5) one representative of the Texas Education Agency;
and
(6) one representative of the commission.
Sec. 52.0007. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1
of each year, the task force shall prepare and submit to the
governor and the legislature an annual written report that
summarizes the task force's work and includes any recommended
actions or policy changes endorsed by the task force.
(b) The task force shall, in collaboration with the
commission, include in the task force's annual report
recommendations for improving sickle cell disease education for
health care providers.
SECTION 3. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 52A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 52A. SICKLE CELL DISEASE CARE EDUCATION AND TREATMENT
Sec. 52A.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "sickle cell
task force" means the sickle cell task force established under
Chapter 52.
Sec. 52A.002. EMERGENCY AND PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE GRADUATE
MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM. (a) In this section,
"graduate medical education program" and "medical school" have the
meanings assigned by Section 58A.001, Education Code.
(b) A medical school in this state that offers an emergency
medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine residency program
shall examine and incorporate to the extent possible in the
curriculum requirements for the program education focused on sickle
cell disease and sickle cell trait. The medical school may enter
into agreements as necessary for the purposes of this section.
Sec. 52A.005. INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PERSONNEL. (a) To the extent possible, the Texas Education Agency
shall collaborate with sickle cell disease community-based
organizations to provide information on sickle cell disease and
sickle cell trait to public school districts and district staff,
including school nurses, teachers, and coaches.
(b) The commission in collaboration with the sickle cell
task force shall explore methods for improving sickle cell disease
education and awareness within the public school system and provide
recommendations to the Texas Education Agency on the improvement
methods.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall appoint the new members of the sickle
cell task force as required by Section 52.0003, Health and Safety
Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 5. Section 52A.004, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, applies to residents entering an emergency
medicine, family medicine, or internal residency program at a
medical school in this state on or after January 1, 2024.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.