88R20970 SCL-F
By: Bucy H.B. No. 5280
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 5280:
By: Rosenthal C.S.H.B. No. 5280
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to operation by certain nonprofit organizations of certain
regional health care programs for employees of small employers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 75.051, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) A community-based nonprofit organization may establish
or participate in a regional health care program under this
subchapter without the participation of the commissioners court of
a county if the program is a premium assistance program not offering
health care services or health care benefits.
SECTION 2. Section 75.052(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A regional health care program may be operated subject
to the direct governance of the commissioners courts of the
participating counties or, for a program under Section 75.051(c), a
nonprofit organization. A local health care program may be
operated subject to the direct governance of the commissioners
court of the participating county. A regional or local health care
program may be operated by a joint council, tax-exempt nonprofit
entity, or other entity that:
(1) operates the program under a contract with the
commissioners court or courts, as applicable; [or]
(2) is an entity in which the county or counties
participate or that is established or designated by the
commissioners court or courts, as applicable, to operate the
program; or
(3) for a program under Section 75.051(c), is a
participating nonprofit organization.
SECTION 3. Section 75.101, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 75.101. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED; PROGRAM
OBJECTIVES. In developing a regional or local health care program,
a governing body may provide health care services or benefits as
described by this subchapter or may develop another type of program
to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. A regional or local
health care program must be developed, to the extent practicable,
to:
(1) reduce the number of individuals without health
benefit plan coverage within the boundaries of the participating
county or counties or, for a program under Section 75.051(c), in a
county in which a participating nonprofit organization operates;
(2) address rising health care costs and reduce the
cost of health care services or health benefit plan coverage for
small employers and their employees within the boundaries of the
participating county or counties or, for a program under Section
75.051(c), in a county in which a participating nonprofit
organization operates;
(3) promote preventive care and reduce the incidence
of preventable health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer,
and diabetes and low birth weight in infants;
(4) promote efficient and collaborative delivery of
health care services;
(5) serve as a model for the innovative use of health
information technology to promote efficient delivery of health care
services, reduce health care costs, and improve the health of the
community; and
(6) provide fair payment rates for health care
providers.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.