TITLE: Relating to a study on freestanding emergency medical care facilities.

SUMMARY: Relating to a study on freestanding emergency medical care facilities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a study on freestanding emergency medical care facilities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) In this Act: (1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission. (2) "Facility" means a freestanding emergency medical care facility licensed under Chapter 254, Health and Safety Code. (b) The commission shall conduct a study on freestanding emergency medical care facilities that: (1) reviews the impact facilities have on medically underserved and rural areas of this state; (2) reviews the impact facilities have on rural hospitals in this state; (3) reviews the impact facilities have on hospital emergency rooms in this state; (4) reviews complaints filed against facilities; (5) examines the reasons facilities have closed; (6) examines the reasons facilities have filed petitions for bankruptcy; (7) examines patient protections provided by facilities and patient health care coverage available at the facilities; (8) examines the location of facilities, the growth patterns of new facilities, and the proximity of the new facilities to hospital emergency rooms; and (9) identifies gaps in emergency medical care treatment that are filled by facilities. (c) Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and members of the legislature a written report that includes a summary of the results of the study conducted under this section and any legislative recommendations based on the study. (d) This Act expires September 1, 2021. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.