H.B. No. 1488
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. 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) support initiatives to assist managed care
plans in promoting timely, evidence-informed health care services
to plan enrollees diagnosed with sickle cell disease to ensure the
services reflect national clinical practice guidelines and
protocols for sickle cell disease treatment and meet medical
necessity criteria; and
(B) address sickle cell disease education for
Medicaid providers, including emergency department providers, by
collaborating with medical specialty organizations in this state,
state agencies, and health-related institutions to promote
existing or new continuing education courses or facilitate
development of any necessary new courses to improve the diagnosis,
treatment, and management of sickle cell disease and the personal
treatment of patients with sickle cell disease; 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) three [two] members of the public, one of whom has
sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait and two [each] of whom
either have [has] sickle cell disease or are [is] a parent of a
person with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait; [and]
(4) one representative of a health-related
institution;
(5) one representative of the Texas Education Agency;
(6) one representative of the commission;
(7) one physician with experience addressing the needs
of individuals with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait;
(8) one researcher from a public health-related or
academic institution with experience addressing sickle cell
disease and sickle cell trait; and
(9) one health care professional with experience
addressing the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease or
sickle cell trait.
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. Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Section 52.0008 to read as follows:
Sec. 52.0008. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this chapter expires August 31, 2035.
SECTION 4. 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 or graduate medical education program
in this state that offers an emergency medicine, family medicine,
internal medicine, obstetrics, or pediatrics residency program
shall examine and, to the extent possible, incorporate in the
curriculum requirements for the program education focused on sickle
cell disease and sickle cell trait. The medical school or graduate
medical education program may enter into agreements as necessary
for the purposes of this section.
Sec. 52A.003. INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PERSONNEL. (a) To the extent possible, the Texas Education Agency
in collaboration with sickle cell disease community-based
organizations shall 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 5. 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 6. Section 52A.002, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, applies to residents entering an emergency
medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics, or
pediatrics residency program at a medical school or graduate
medical education program in this state on or after January 1, 2024.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1488 was passed by the House on April
11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 107, Nays 33, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1488 was passed by the Senate on May
17, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor