TITLE: Relating to a strategic plan for improving maternal health, including the consolidation and repeal of certain planning and reporting requirements.

SUMMARY: Relating to a strategic plan for improving maternal health, including the consolidation and repeal of certain planning and reporting requirements.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a strategic plan for improving maternal health, including the consolidation and repeal of certain planning and reporting requirements. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0223 to read as follows: Sec. 531.0223. MATERNAL HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a strategic plan for improving maternal health outcomes under programs administered by this state that provide services to women during and following a pregnancy. The strategic plan must include strategies for: (1) improving access to screening, referral, treatment, and support services for perinatal depression, hyperemesis gravidarum, and other major pregnancy-related health complications; (2) improving the quality of maternal health care provided under Medicaid, the child health plan perinatal program, other health care programs administered by this state, and state health plans; and (3) reducing pregnancy-related deaths, focusing on the most prevalent causes of those deaths. (b) In developing the strategic plan, the commission shall consult with the Department of State Health Services, the statewide health coordinating council, and other maternal health experts as the commission determines necessary. (c) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall provide the strategic plan developed under this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the House Public Health Committee, and the House Human Services Committee. SECTION 2. Section 34.0155, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 34.0155. OPTIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING [REPORT ON] PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS, SEVERE MATERNAL MORBIDITY, AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. The commission shall: (1) evaluate options for reducing pregnancy-related deaths, focusing on the most prevalent causes of pregnancy-related deaths as identified in the joint biennial report required under Section 34.015, and for treating postpartum depression in economically disadvantaged women; and (2) in coordination with the department and the review committee, identify strategies to: (A) lower costs of providing medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, related to severe maternal morbidity and chronic illness; and (B) improve quality outcomes related to the underlying causes of severe maternal morbidity and chronic illness [; and [(3) not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the Legislative Budget Board, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature a written report that includes: [(A) a summary of the commission's and department's efforts to accomplish the tasks described by Subdivisions (1) and (2); and [(B) a summary of the report required by Section 34.0156].SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Health and Safety Code are repealed: (1) Section 32.046; (2) Section 32.047; (3) Sections 32.155(d) and (e); (4) Section 34.0158; and (5) Section 34.020(f). SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.