TITLE: Relating to a study on reforms to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act.

SUMMARY: Relating to a study on reforms to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a study on reforms to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) In this section: (1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission. (2) "Mandated provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.002, Health and Safety Code. (b) The commission shall conduct a study on reforms to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act, codified in Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code. The study must examine: (1) historical trends of individuals who are seeking health care services from a health care provider other than a mandated provider; (2) the best method of communicating to an individual information on the mandated providers for the jurisdiction in which the individual resides; (3) whether the health care services provided by a county under the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act are sufficient to cover an individual's health care needs; and (4) the costs incurred by a hospital district in providing health care services to individuals who reside outside of the district's jurisdiction, including a comparison of: (A) the costs incurred by counties with mandated providers compared to counties without mandated providers; and (B) the costs incurred by counties that are surrounded by other counties with mandated providers compared to counties that are surrounded by other counties without mandated providers. (c) Not later than September 1, 2024, the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over public hospitals a written report summarizing the results of the study conducted under this section. SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2025. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.