Texas House Bill HB1906

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/16/25

Caption

Relating to the establishment of the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The proposed bill would require health benefit plan issuers to pay an annual fee, which will be assessed by the comptroller. This funding mechanism aims to support the operations of the analysis program, which involves analyzing costs and expenditures related to health care services in the state. By instituting this program, Texas aims to maintain a system that provides financial transparency and accountability concerning the impacts of new health care mandates on coverage costs, administrative expenses, and overall health service utilization.

Summary

House Bill 1906 proposes the establishment of the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program within the Texas Insurance Code. This program is designed to conduct impact analyses on proposed legislation that would require health benefit plan issuers or administrators to impose new mandates. This program aims to provide legislators with essential data regarding the financial implications of their legislative proposals related to health care coverage, ensuring that they can make informed decisions concerning health care policies.

Contention

While the bill emphasizes the importance of data-based decision-making in health care policy, it may face contention from various stakeholders. Health care providers and industry representatives might argue against the fees imposed on health plan issuers, fearing increased administrative costs could be passed on to consumers. Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential for the analysis program to delay legislative processes by requiring data assessments before new mandates can be enacted.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Insurance Code

• Chapter 38. Data Collection And Reports
  • Section: New Section