Subject search results

46 Document(s) [ Subject: Health insurance ]

Committee:	House Health Care Reform, Select
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Children's Health Insurance Program | Disease prevention | Health care | Health care costs | Health care disparities | Health insurance | Medicaid | Medical screening | Prescription drug costs |
Library Call Number:
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [102 pages  File size: 2,402 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the implications of excessive health care costs on the efficacy of Texas Medicaid and the private health insurance market and the resulting impact on individual Texans, businesses, and state government. Specifically, the committee shall: Examine the interaction of specific factors of health care affordability such as transparency, competition, and patient incentives. Make recommendations to expand access to health care price information to allow consumers to make informed decisions regarding their care; Examine the impact of government benefit, administrative, and contractual mandates imposed upon private insurance companies and their impact on employer and consumer premiums and out-of-pocket costs, including the effects of specific benefit and any-willing-provider requirements. Make recommendations for state and agency level mandates and regulations that could be relaxed or repealed to increase the availability and affordability of private health coverage options in this state; and Review access to and affordability of prescription drugs.
2.	Monitor the implementation of, and compliance with, current price transparency requirements and study ways that the state can support patients and increase competition. Make legislative and administrative recommendations, as appropriate.
3.	Evaluate innovative, fiscally positive options to ensure that Texans have access to affordable, quality, and comprehensive health care, with an emphasis on reaching low income and at-risk populations. The evaluation should include a study of strategies other states and organizations have implemented or proposed to address health care access and affordability. Make recommendations to increase primary health care access points in Texas.
4.	Study ways to improve outreach to families with children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicaid or CHIP, including children in rural areas.
5.	Examine the potential impact of delayed care on the state's health care delivery system, health care costs, and patient health outcomes, as well as best practices for getting patients with foregone or delayed health interventions back into the health care system. The study should consider patient delays in obtaining preventive and primary health services, such as well-child care, prenatal care, screenings for cancer and chronic disease, behavioral health, and immunizations, in addition to delays in seeking urgent care or care for chronic illness.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Health Care Reform, Select
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 4, 2022
Library Call Number:
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View document [584 pages  File size: 53,345 kb]
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Consumer protection | Emergency medical services | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Prescription drug costs | Prescription drugs | Rebates | Texas Mutual Insurance |
Library Call Number:
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [113 pages  File size: 2,704 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following: HB 18, 87th R.S., relating to the establishment of the prescription drug savings program for certain uninsured individuals; HB 3459, 87th R.S., relating to preauthorization requirements for certain health care services and utilization review for certain health benefit plans; HB 3752, 87th R.S., relating to the offering of health benefit coverage by subsidiaries of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company; and HB 3924, 87th R.S., relating to health benefits offered by certain nonprofit agricultural organizations.
2.	Review existing state laws, administrative regulations, and agency practices to identify barriers to competition in the insurance marketplace. Examine existing business practices in the industry to determine if additional laws or regulations are needed to promote competition, lower premiums, and protect consumers.
3.	Monitor the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of legislation related to freestanding emergency rooms to determine whether patients are adequately protected and if further safeguards and disclosures are needed.
4.	Review Texas' insurance anti-rebating laws and model legislation related to rebates. Make recommendations for legislation that would preserve the purpose of the current statute while allowing certain services for and benefits to insurance consumers.
5.	Study the impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and the federal No Surprises Act (2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Public Law No. 116-620) on the Texas insurance market.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Flood insurance | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas Department of | Medical bill balance billing | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Pharmaceutical industry | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association |
Library Call Number:	L1836.86 In7
Session:	86th R.S. (2019)
Online version:	View report [83 pages  File size: 5,196 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following: HB 259, which prohibits certain practices related to the delivery, issuing of delivery, or renewing of named driver policies. Determine if there are any changes regarding policy affordability or the uninsured motorist population. HB 1900, which amends the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) operations and funding practices. Review the rulemaking process by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the adoption of an updated plan of operation by TWIA. Monitor whether the purchase of reinsurance has increased or declined and determine whether this provision of the legislation has had any impact on premium rates. Monitor the appointment and work of the Legislative Funding and Funding Structure Oversight board. HB 2536, which requires certain reporting requirements for drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and health insurers on certain pharmaceutical practices, including the pricing and availability of insulin. Examine its effect on drug pricing in the market and how to increase transparency in pricing associated with delivery of drugs, such as insulin, to the end user patient. SB 442, which requires insurers that do not provide flood coverage in their policy to disclose that the policy does not cover flood events. Determine whether consumers are being properly informed of whether they have flood coverage. Examine the development of standardized disclosure forms for all insurance policies in Texas (health, homeowners, and personal auto) to provide more clarity to consumers about what the policy covers and any exclusions. SB 1264, which prohibits balance billing (surprise billing) and creates an arbitration system to settle balance bills. Monitor the implementation of the mediation and arbitration programs, including the establishment of a portal on the TDI website through which requests for mediation and arbitration may be submitted. Determine whether the appropriate state agencies are enforcing the prohibition on balance billing. Review the Department's rules implementing the legislation's exception for non-emergency "elective" services to determine whether the rules limit the exception to out-of-network services that a patient has actively elected after receiving a complete written disclosure. Monitor or follow up on TDI's process for selecting the benchmarking database and determine whether the database chosen provides the most accurate available data and its sources are transparent. Evaluate the fiscal impact of the legislation on the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Review costs to the systems and savings to employees and teachers. SB 1852, which requires certain disclosures for insurers that offer short-term limited duration plans. Study whether similar consumer disclosures and other safeguards are needed for non-traditional health coverage products marketed to individuals or small employers in Texas. Identify any gaps that leave consumers without needed information or consumer protections, including network adequacy and protections from surprise medical bills. SB 1940, which extends to August 31, 2021, TDI's authority to revise and administer the temporary health insurance risk pool to the extent federal funds are available. Study ways to foster a competitive market and reduce the uninsured rate, including by exploring flexibility available through federal waivers. Study the impact to health care systems if the Affordable Care Act is ruled unconstitutional, including identifying which mandates, consumer protections, and subsidies will be lost and which have equivalents in state law.
2.	Study the adequacy of the state’s insurance laws on regulating the introduction of insurtech products into the Texas insurance market. Include in the study the impact of big data, blockchain, internet of things, and artificial intelligence technologies on industry practices such as claims handling, underwriting, and policy writing. Study whether these technologies present challenges for any of the state’s insurance laws, including the state’s anti-discrimination, data privacy, anti-rebate, and licensing laws and regulations. Additionally, examine the pros and cons of adopting a regulatory sandbox and consider sandbox programs that are implemented in other states.
3.	Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.
Committee:	Senate Business and Commerce
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Electric utilities | Electric utility deregulation | Electric utility rates and charges | Emergency management | Flood insurance | Flood plains | Health insurance | Health insurance exchanges | Home equity lines of credit | Home equity loans | Hurricane Harvey | Mortgages | Natural disasters | Occupational licenses | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Privacy | Social media | Texas Constitution | Wills and estates |
Library Call Number:	L1836.85 B963
Session:	85th R.S. (2017)
Online version:	View report [133 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study infrastructure security and energy restoration post weather events. Identify ways state government entities can help utilities more effectively stage pre-hurricane mobilization crews for managing resources before an event.
2.	Examine state mortgage requirements regarding the notification of homebuyers on their need for flood insurance in flood plains and flood pool areas and make recommendations on how to better inform consumers.
3.	Examine local government regulations, including occupational licenses, as related to Hurricane Harvey and determine if any are a detriment to rebuilding efforts.
4.	Examine and make recommendations on the need for changes to the Texas Constitution for home equity lenders to offer various forms of relief to Texas homeowners affected by natural disasters including, among others, the authority to enter into deferment agreements. This examination should include a study of home equity rules regarding negotiation, modification and refinancing and whether constitutionally established time periods can be waived in times of disasters.
5.	Free Market Electricity: Examine the competitive nature of the Texas retail electric system and what government competitive intrusions in the free energy markets may have in distorting those markets. Review the impact of competitive versus noncompetitive retail electricity markets across the state in terms of price and reliability. Consider the projected impact of establishing competitive electric retail markets statewide.
6.	Health Insurance Market Stability: Study the factors affecting health insurance markets in Texas, particularly the individual market, including federal and state law. Make recommendations that would result in increased stability in the markets and enhance value and affordability for individual consumers and businesses. Examine what steps the state needs to take to allow out-of-state health insurance sales. In developing its recommendations, the committee should consider the flexibility afforded to states by 1332 "state innovation" waivers, which allow states to modify or eliminate tax penalties associated with individual and employer coverage mandates; modify requirements for benefits and subsidies; and find alternative ways to provide benefit plan choices, determine eligibility for subsidies, and enroll consumers.
7.	Licensing and Fees: Review licensing requirements and fees imposed on entities within the committee's jurisdiction. Make recommendations for state licenses and fees that should be reduced, repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.
8.	Social Media Access: Study access issues regarding digital assets of decedents. Study social media privacy laws and whether job applicants and students' privacy is jeopardized under current law.
9.	Examine the 2018 electric reliability forecasts announced by ERCOT and review how expected diminished reserve markets will impact the rates of residential and business consumers. Monitor current mechanisms available to ERCOT to ensure grid reliability, identify trends in the wholesale electric market, and make recommendations to maintain grid reliability moving forward.
10.	Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 85th R.S., including: • The implementation of legislation to deregulate occupational licensing; • The settlement of out-of-network health benefit claims involving balance billing and patient's explanation of benefits statements; and • Make recommendations regarding any additional legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/ or complete implementation.
Committee:	House Pensions
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Pension liabilities | Public retirement systems | State employee early retirement programs | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas County and District Retirement System | Texas Municipal Retirement System |
Library Call Number:	L1836.85 P387
Session:	85th R.S. (2017)
Online version:	View report [46 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Review the state's oversight of pension systems and study the effectiveness of corrective mechanisms, including the Funding Soundness Restoration Plan and Pension Review Board Funding Guidelines. Make recommendations to enhance state oversight and to maintain or achieve soundness among local pension systems.
2.	Evaluate the governance structures, including investment oversight, of the Employee Retirement System (ERS), Teacher Retirement System (TRS), Texas Municipal Retirement System, Texas County and District Retirement System, and Texas Emergency Services Retirement System. Identify best practices and make recommendations to strengthen oversight within the systems.
3.	Review and evaluate health incentive programs within the group benefit programs at ERS and TRS. Identify best practices among similar programs and barriers to implementation. Make recommendations for achieving further savings through existing and/or new programs.
4.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
Committee:	Senate Business and Commerce
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Delinquent taxes | Elder abuse | Electronic security | Employment eligibility verification | Hailstorms | Health insurance | Liens | Medical bill balance billing | Occupational licenses | Prompt payment of insurance claims | Property insurance | Public information | State employees | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Undocumented immigrants |
Library Call Number:	L1836.84 B963
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View report [72 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Occupational Licensing: Review all occupations licensed under Texas law to determine the extent to which continued state regulation and licensure is required to protect public health and safety. Examine methods to ensure greater legislative oversight of new regulations, scope, and necessity of certain licenses and make recommendations for state licenses that should be repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.
2.	Hail Storm: Monitor the number of lawsuits related to property claims filed as a result of multiple hail storms and weather related events across Texas. Examine negative consumer trends that may result in market disruption such as higher premiums and deductibles, less coverage, non-renewals, and inability to secure coverage due to insurance carrier withdrawal from the state and make recommendations on legislative action needed.
3.	Texas Prompt Pay Law: Study the impact of the penalty calculations under the current prompt payment of health care claim laws and regulations, including comparing penalties in other states and late payment penalties in Texas for other lines of insurance. Evaluate whether unregulated billed charges is the appropriate basis for determining penalty amounts and make recommendations for statutory changes, if needed.
4.	Cyber-security/Storage: Examine cyber-security efforts undertaken by state entities and study the legal, policy, and privacy implications of the trend toward storage of personal, private, and business confidential information in network attached storage, cloud storage, and other developing data storage options rather than on local devices. Make recommendations on how to best protect Texans’ financial and personal information.
5.	Elder Financial Abuse: Study elder financial abuse and determine what steps the State of Texas should take to help protect older Texans from financial exploitation.
6.	Property Tax Liens: Examine and make recommendations for necessary changes regarding the collection process of delinquent ad valorem property taxes, including an inquiry into the role that tax lien transfers play in forestalling foreclosure.
7.	Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) State agency participation in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program; 2) Implementation of legislation intended to further protect consumers from the balance billing process; 3) Changes made to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association; 4) The regulation of public insurance adjusters; and 5) The current consent policy for state disclosure of personal data.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Assisted living facilities | Fraud | Health care provider networks | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas Department of | Medical bill balance billing | Prompt payment of insurance claims | Property insurance | Texas Mutual Insurance | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Windstorm insurance | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.84 In7
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View report [87 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine available data on the cost of weather-related property insurance claims and the incidence of litigation of these claims. Study whether these data reveal trends or patterns over time and what the drivers of these trends might be. Identify impacts on the property insurance market and on consumers from claims litigation.
2.	Examine the effectiveness of previous legislative efforts to encourage transparency and adequacy of health care networks, and of legislation to protect consumers from the negative impacts of disputes over out-of-network services. Study whether enhancements in transparency or regulation are necessary.
3.	Evaluate the statutory penalty calculations under Texas's prompt payment laws regarding health care claims. Include an analysis of whether the proper benchmarks are used to establish penalties commensurate with an improper payment and the effect of the abolition of the Texas Health Insurance Pool on the use of funds collected under the statute.
4.	Study the Texas credit for reinsurance statutes and how they affect market capacity, the cost of regulatory compliance, and the prospect of federal preemption of the state's ability to regulate reinsurance. Examine how alternative credit for reinsurance statutes in other jurisdictions function, including in the regulatory and legal systems of those jurisdictions.
5.	Monitor the implementation of SB 900 (84R), including the rulemaking process by the Texas Department of Insurance and the adoption of an updated plan of operation by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
6.	Examine the effectiveness of residual market programs in the insurance industry in Texas, as well as approaches used in other states.
7.	Review the implementation of HB 2929, 83rd R.S.. Examine the bill's impact and compliance among affected health plans. Examine the costs incurred by the Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, and any other affected state health plans as a result of the legislation.
8.	Review current statutory provisions regarding the prosecution of workers' compensation insurance fraud. Examine ways to maintain or enhance fraud prosecution while ensuring a fair process for all parties involved.
9.	Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, March 30, 2016 (Prompt pay, post-acute brain injury care, workers' compensation fraud)
Library Call Number:
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View document [168 pages  File size: 17,722 kb]
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, June 1, 2016 (Balance billing, network adequacy and transparency)
Library Call Number:
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View document [163 pages  File size: 14,597 kb]
Committee:	Senate Health and Human Services
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas | Caseworkers | Child Protective Services | Children's Health Insurance Program | Dental care | Foster care | Health care | Health care costs | Health insurance | Immunizations | Long-term care | Managed care | Medicaid | Medicaid eligibility | Medical research | Mental health services | Nursing homes | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Public health | State Health Services, Texas Department of | State supported living centers |
Library Call Number:	L1836.82 H349
Session:	82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version:	View report [186 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on insurance regulations, Medicaid and CHIP, health care outcomes and overall health of all Texans, and the state budget in Texas. Additionally, monitor the current constitutional challenges to PPACA and other court cases associated with PPACA, and ensure that the state does not expend any resources until judicial direction is clear. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
2.	Monitor the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on insurance regulations, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), health care outcomes, health care workforce, overall health of all Texans, and the state budget in Texas. Additionally, monitor the current constitutional challenges to PPACA, and other court cases associated with PPACA, and ensure that the state does not expend any resources until judicial direction is clear. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
3.	Evaluate the implementation of cost-containment strategies across the Health and Human Services Enterprise to determine if and how each strategy can be expanded upon to achieve additional savings next biennium. The evaluation should include but is not limited to: the expansion of managed care, co-­pays in Medicaid, electronic visit verification, and independent assessments for long-­? term care services. The evaluation should also consider new cost-containment strategies that will increase efficiencies and reduce costs. This evaluation should include but not be limited to: Medicaid, Early Childhood Intervention Services, and immunizations.
4.	Review the state's current investment in health care innovation, including translational research and the Cancer Prevention Research Institute, which focuses on rapid transfer of new technology experimentation directly into the clinical environment. Make recommendations to improve the health of Texans and encourage continued medical research in the most cost-effective manner possible.
5.	Review existing policies for prior authorization and medical necessity review across the Medicaid Program, including nursing homes and orthodontic services. Make recommendations on how these policies could be improved to save money by reducing unnecessary utilization and fraud.
6.	Review the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waivers to identify strategies to lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to services. Areas of the review should include, but are not limited to: Functional eligibility determinations to ensure services are only being delivered to individuals that qualify; Financial eligibility determinations to ensure parental income and resources are considered when the client is a minor; Coordination of acute and long-term care services; Development and use of lower-cost community care waiver options; Coordination with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for waiver services for children in conservatorships; Reinvesting savings into accessibility of community care for individuals waiting for services.
7.	Evaluate the management structure and supervision of CPS caseworkers with an emphasis on rural areas. Identify any legislative changes that could assist DFPS in maximizing efficiency, improving quality casework and supervision, and increasing caseworker retention. Identify any legislative changes that could improve the quality of care children receive while in Child Protective Services custody, including improving permanency outcomes.
8.	Examine the delivery and financing of public health services in our state, including how federal funds are distributed by the state to local health departments and whether the work done by Regional Health Departments operated by the Department of State Health Services overlap unnecessarily with local health departments.
9.	Review the state's public mental health system and make recommendations to improve access, service utilization, patient outcomes and system efficiencies. Study current service delivery models for outpatient and inpatient care, funding levels, financing methodologies, services provided, and available community-based alternatives to hospitalization. The review should look to other states for best practices or models that may be successful in Texas. The study shall also review and recommend "best value" practices that the state's public mental health system may implement to maximize the use of federal, state, and local funds.
10.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation, including but not limited to: Health Care Quality and Efficiency - Monitor implementation of initiatives aimed at improving health care quality and efficiency in Texas, including: the transition of Medicaid and the CHIP to quality-based payments, establishment of the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency, implementation of the Health Care Collaborative certificate, patient-centered medical home for high-cost populations, development and use of potentially preventable event outcome measures, and reduction of health care-associated infections. Include recommendations on how to improve and build upon these initiatives, including improving birth outcomes and reducing infant and maternal mortality; Federal Flexibility - Monitor implementation of initiatives to increase state flexibility, including the Health Care Compact and the Medicaid Demonstration Waiver; Foster Care Redesign - Monitor implementation of the initiative to redesign the foster care system; Implementation of DOJ Settlement agreement to address State Supported Living Center concerns.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Consumer credit and debt | Eminent domain | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal government | Firefighters | Forest Service, Texas A&M | Health insurance | Health insurance exchanges | Liability | Medicaid | Military personnel | Municipalities | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Peace officers | Primary elections | Property rights | Public retirement systems | Public Safety, Texas Department of | State employee benefits | State employee turnover | States' rights | Statutes of limitation | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Wildfires | Workers' compensation | Zoning |
Library Call Number:	L1836.82 St29a
Session:	82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version:	View report [177 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the policies and actions the State can pursue to preserve state authority and protect Texas citizens from federal overreach in the form of conditional federal grants, conditional federal preemption, and excessive legislation and regulation interfering with states' enumerated powers by Congress.
2.	Examine the Texas Workers' Compensation system and make recommendations for changes to meet the needs of Texas employers and employees. Specifically, review the following: the dispute resolution process and benefits available from employers that do not subscribe to workers compensation; the adequacy of income benefits in the workers’ compensation system, specifically on high?wage earners receiving the maximum compensation rate; identify and report on fatalities in the Workers’ Compensation System, including the amount of death and burial benefits paid to beneficiaries and the Subsequent Injury Fund since 2000; the return-­to-­work numbers and results for injured employees in the Workers’ Compensation System that are referred to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.
3.	Study the feasibility and fiscal impact to consumers of altering the insurance code to allow for the purchase of health insurance across state lines.
4.	Monitor the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on insurance regulations, Medicaid and CHIP, health care outcomes and overall health of all Texans, and the state budget in Texas. Additionally, monitor the current constitutional challenges to PPACA and other court cases associated with PPACA, and ensure that the state does not expend any resources until judicial direction is clear. (Joint charge with Senate Health & Human Services Committee)
5.	Study and make recommendations on statutory provisions and judicial decisions relating to the statute of limitations on a cause of action relating to consumer debt.
6.	Examine establishing a workforce retention program or deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned peace officers and whether any plan can be built with actuarially sustainable factors while meeting the needs of officers.
7.	Examine the feasibility of implementing Health Reimbursement Accounts and Medicare exchanges for Medicare eligible participants currently covered by and receiving health coverage through the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M University. Identify any cost savings to the state and to retirees that would occur under such a plan.
8.	Consider the costs and benefits of the creation of liability protection for private companies and individuals when commissioned by the Texas Forest Service to assist in fighting a fire that is not on the company's or individual's own land. Examine whether state policy should prohibit an employer from terminating an employee who is a volunteer firefighter on the grounds that the employee missed work because the employee was responding to an emergency. Identify any appropriate limitations that should apply to such a policy.
9.	Examine the effectiveness of the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act (Chapter 2007, Government Code), and whether it should apply to municipalities.
10.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: implementation of SB 100, relating to the implementation of the MOVE Act, and the impact on local and statewide elections and military voters; implementation of the Interstate Health Care Compact.
Committee:	House Federal Legislation, Select
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Children's Health Insurance Program | Federal government | Health insurance | Medicaid |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 F318
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [20 pages  File size: 860 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	review and monitor significant pending federal legislation to the extent such legislation preempts state authority. In addition, the committee shall monitor the implementation of unfunded mandates, including those that could violate the federal Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. The committee's work should include monitoring Congress's health care reform efforts and their potential impact on the state's health care system, health insurance regulation statutes and policies, Medicaid and children's health insurance programs, eligibility system, workforce recruitment and retention, and health care financing mechanisms.
Committee:	Senate Health and Human Services
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 82nd Legislature
Subjects:	Adult Protective Services | Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | At-risk youth | Child abuse | Children's Health Insurance Program | Cloning | Crime prevention | Diet and nutrition | Emergency management | Families | Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of | Family violence | Federal government | Foster care | H1N1 virus | Health care | Health care providers | Health insurance | Human services | Long-term care | Medicaid | Medicaid eligibility | Medical Board, Texas | Medical errors | Medical research | Mental health services | Mentally ill persons | Nurses | Obesity | Physicians | Quality of care | Senior citizens | Services for persons with disabilities | State budgets | Stem cell research | Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 H349
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [272 pages  File size: 6,511 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimates will costs the State of Texas $2 to 2.5 billion per year in General Revenue beginning as early as 2013, study the implications of such legislation on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
2.	Study the benefits, efficiencies and costs, and effectiveness of the social service related prevention and early intervention programs at the health and human services agencies, the juvenile and adult criminal justice agencies and other government agencies that have programs that address mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, single-parent families, absentee fathers, early pregnancy, and unemployment. Study other states' prevention programs and efforts to administer these programs through a merged prevention department. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs.
3.	Review the timeliness and efficiency of the Health and Human Service Commission's eligibility system. Include a review of staffing levels and staffing distribution; implementation of Rider 61; and the increased demand on the system. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, focusing on policy changes that will not create a large financial burden for the state.
4.	Study and make recommendations on the state's role for facilitating the exchange of health care information in the future, including using the Medicaid exchange as a framework for the statewide exchange of health information between health care providers to improve quality of care; what information the state should provide; how to use this information to improve care management, prevent medical errors, and reduce unnecessary services; and policies and statutory changes needed to ensure that privacy is protected. Study the feasibility of developing multiple regional health information technology exchanges in Texas.
5.	Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, nurses, dentists and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Provide recommendations for ensuring sufficient numbers of health care professionals, focusing on medically underserved and rural areas of the state as well as the Border region. Consider health care delivered by Advanced Practice Nurses in terms of access, cost and patient safety and include an assessment of independent prescriptive authority with those states in which prescriptive authority is delegated by a physician. Make recommendations to enhance the efficient use of Advanced Practice Nurses in Texas.
6.	Explore strategies to support the needs of aging Texans, including best practices in nursing home diversion, expediting access to community services, and programs to assist seniors and their families in navigating the long-term care system with the goal of helping seniors remain in the community. Study the guardianship program implemented by the Department of Aging and Disabilities and the Department of Adult Protective Services, including the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, the relationship between the two agencies, the appropriate rights for parents, and whether clients and their assets are adequately protected to ensure the state is appropriately identifying seniors in need of protection.
7.	Examine how the state could enact policies to improve the overall health of Texans, focusing on programs that compliment individually-based prevention with community­based prevention to reduce obesity rates by increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and improving self-management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Examine obesity-related health disparities between different ethnic groups and ways to narrow these gaps. Consider the fiscal and health impact of second-hand smoke on businesses and service sector employees. Study state-level initiatives to incorporate these individual and community-based prevention strategies, including initiatives pursued in other states.
8.	Study the state's ability to appropriately respond to the H1N1 influenza pandemic by examining issues related to vaccine distribution and capacity. Consider the benefit of providing the state's independent school districts and various health authorities with standardized protocols for issues including, but not limited to, vaccine administration, absenteeism and the cancellation of school and other school-related events. Assess the state's ability to track and record H1N1 vaccinations through the ImmTrac registry, and review statutes governing ImmTrac to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization information systems.
9.	Study current state health care quality improvement initiatives in Texas, including statewide health care-associated infection and adverse event reporting, reimbursement reductions in the Texas Medicaid program for preventable adverse events, potentially preventable readmissions identification, health information technology implementation, pay-far-performance programs, and other initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and quality of health care in Texas. Identify statutory changes that may build upon efforts to improve quality of care and contain health care costs in Texas. Study policies that encourage and facilitate the use of best practices by health care providers including the best way to report and distribute information on quality of care and the use of best practices to the public and to promote health care provider and payment incentives that will encourage the use of best practices. The study/recommendations could also include assessing the best way to bring provider groups together to increase quality of care, the use of best practices, and reduce unnecessary services.
10.	Study current practices of the Texas Medical Board relating to disclosure of complaints.
11.	Review the types of human stem cell and human cloning research being conducted, funded, or supported by state agencies, including institutions of higher education. Make recommendations for appropriate data collection and funding protocols.
12.	Review the Medicaid HCBS waivers (CBA, STAR Plus, CLASS, MDCP, DBMT, TxHmL) and develop recommendations to assure that people with significant disabilities, regardless of disability label or age, receive needed services to remain in or transition to the community. Review should look at the delivery system, eligibility, service packages, rate structures, workforce issues and funding caps. Examine options for the provision of services for children aging out of the Medicaid system. Make recommendations for streamlining/combining these waivers, ensuring that these waivers are cost effective or create cost savings, and developing policies that contain costs in an effort to increase access to these services. The review should examine other states' community care waivers and provide recommendations relating to efforts that have been successful in other states.
13.	Study the type, duration, frequency and effectiveness of mental health services available to and accessed by abused and neglected Texas children. Recommend strategies to address the impact of the trauma, and enhance therapeutic services available to this population in an effort to eliminate the cycle of abuse and neglect.
14.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Monitor Department of Family and Protective Services' implementation of the U.S. Fostering Connections Act, including the new Kinship Care program. Include recommendations on how to optimize the use of monetary assistance to qualified relative caregivers. Monitor the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) implementation of SB 643, relating to Texas' state-supported living centers (SSLCs), implementation of Special Provisions relating to All Health and Human Services Agencies, Section 48. Contingency Appropriation for the Reshaping of the System for Providing Services to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, and implementation of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement terms.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 82nd Legislature
Subjects:	Employees Retirement System of Texas | Financial investments | Fraud | Health care | Health care costs | Health insurance | Hospitals | Insurance agents | Insurance rates | Medically uninsured | Military personnel | Open government | Open Meetings Act, Texas | Public Information Act, Texas | Senior citizens | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter registration | Voters | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 ST29a
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [248 pages  File size: 24,817 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry, study the implications of such legislation on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee)
2.	Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System. Assess the effectiveness of pilot programs designed to encourage the use of clinical integration, payments for good outcomes, use of best practices, focus on wellness and prevention, and bundling of costs for episodes of care, and other health care savings initiatives. Make recommendations for expanding the pilot programs for use across all private and state sponsored health care, including the Medicaid program, as a means to improve Texans' health and provide more effective care that allows for assistance for the uninsured. (SB 7, SB 8 and SB 10, 81st Legislature)
3.	Study the implementation of the Healthy Texas program enacted by the 81st Legislature and the ongoing implementation of SB 1731, 80th Legislature, to determine if this program is effectively lowering health insurance costs and increasing access to health insurance for small business. Study and make recommendations about using this program to increase access to health insurance for sole proprietors. Review other states efforts to lower health care costs to small business owners and sole proprietors and incentivize small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase insurance.
4.	Examine best practices for increasing the affordability and availability of health insurance in the individual and small group market, including medical underwriting practices, rescission of coverage, cancellation of coverage, rate regulation, and reporting of medical loss ratios.
5.	Study how increased out-of-pocket costs for medications and treatment impact consumers' compliance with health care recommendations and how that response impacts overall health care costs. Review available research into value design programs.
6.	Study ways to improve the efficiency and accuracy of voter registration rolls, including the feasibility and security of online registration and automatic registration and the accuracy of verification and purging of voters. Recommend ways to ensure that deceased or otherwise ineligible voters are not included on rolls while also ensuring that all eligible applicants are efficiently registered.
7.	Study the transparency of organizational structures, policies and coverage associated with health insurance underwriters/agents and the relationship between underwriters/agents and policyholders.
8.	Study the sale of annuities in Texas, particularly to seniors. Evaluate the requirements relating to rescission of an annuity contract, payment of surrender fees, return of money, contract forms, including a standard contract form, buyer's guide, agent's commission and disclosure of an agent's commission. Make recommendations for legislation, if needed, and consider whether the insurance commissioner by rule may limit an agent's commission.
9.	Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured's and under-insured's access to hospital health care services, on the uninsured's and under­insured's economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary.
10.	Study the adequacy of workers' compensation benefits in the following categories: lifetime income benefits, wage benefits for the high wage earner, and workers whose wage benefits stop before Social Security benefits begin. In order to determine the impact of increased benefits in one or more of these categories, work with the Texas Department of Insurance to develop a publicly accessible model to predict the costs related to those enhanced benefits, the effect of those costs on workers' compensation premiums, and whether enrollment in the workers' compensation system will be adversely impacted by increasing the benefits in one or more of the stated categories.
11.	Study whether subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies should be limited or prohibited. Study the effect on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited. Consider the feasibility of developing a publicly accessible model to predict the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited, while protecting confidentiality as required by law and study whether the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, would adversely impact enrollment in the workers' compensation system.
12.	Study and make recommendations regarding access to voting by members of the military serving in the United States and abroad, including the feasibility of electronic delivery of ballots.
13.	Study the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act to ensure that government continues to operate in a way that is open and transparent. The study should consider how advances in technology and the emergence of various forms of social media (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter) have affected communications by and within governmental bodies.
14.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 81 st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
Committee:	Senate Education Subcommittee on Higher Education
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Economic forecasts | Economy | Flagship universities | Health insurance | Higher education | Higher education accountability | Nuclear power plants | Student aid | University campuses | University graduation rates | University research | Workforce |
Library Call Number:	L1836.80 Ed83h
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View report [112 pages  File size: 8,273 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine different methodologies for assessing the quality of degree and certificate programs at higher education institutions and for measuring student learning outcomes. Review current institutional performance standards and make recommendations that promote academic and financial accountability. Review the method for measuring graduation rates to determine whether alternative measures are more appropriately suited for institutions with a large percentage of non-traditional students.
2.	Identify potential future economic trends and workforce needs, including those created by additional nuclear generation facilities, and identify strategies to help meet these needs.
3.	Examine ways to assess and improve academic advising to help students succeed in higher education and complete their course of study and graduate in the minimum time required.
4.	Study the need for new higher education institutions and make recommendations for developing a long-term strategy for creating and supporting new institutions, especially additional flagship public research universities. Explore methods for determining where such universities should be located and ensuring that such universities admit a qualified and diverse student body. Consider the state's allocation of and need for resources for medical education, including graduate medical education, geographic distribution of those resources, and the value of associating a medical school with a top-tier academic campus.
5.	Study research funding and assess the research infrastructure and capabilities at higher education institutions. Make recommendations for streamlining the various sources of funding (Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund, the Research Development Fund, and the Advanced Research Program) and for developing a statewide strategy for increasing research at higher education institutions, including ways to improve research commercialization.
6.	Evaluate the cost and feasibility of a range of options for providing health care insurance for students attending institutions of higher education.
7.	Review the status, effects, and success or failure of higher education authorities operating under Chapters 53, 53A, and 53B, Education Code, and nonprofit corporations carrying out the functions of higher education authorities under those chapters. Make recommendations regarding any necessary changes in the statutes and administration of same. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
8.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Subcommittee on Higher Education, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor any pending federal legislation that would impact student financial aid.
Committee:	Senate Finance
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report
Subjects:	Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Financial investments | Frew lawsuits | Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Health insurance | Health insurance premium subsidies | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Highway finance | Investment of public funds | Iran | Medicaid | Medical reimbursements | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | State agency budgets | State government debt | State Health Services, Texas Department of | State supported living centers | Sudan | Tax incentives | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Southern University | Transportation, Texas Department of | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.80 F49
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View report [46 pages  File size: 698 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Provide effective budget oversight of state agencies to ensure that monies appropriated are spent wisely. Particular areas of focus will include the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of State Health Services coordination of Mental Health Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department revitalization of State Parks, Health and Human Services Commission management of Frew settlement agreement and waiting list slots, Department of Aging and Disability Services improvement of State Schools, Texas Department of Criminal Justice roll out of treatment programs and review of the salary career ladder for employees for retention purposes, Texas Youth Commission achievement of reform, Texas Southern University rehabilitation, Higher Education Coordinating Board implementation of incentive programs and the creation of the Texas Cancer Research and Prevention Institute.
2.	Evaluate the effectiveness of existing state tax incentives that encourage employers to provide health coverage to their employees, including tax incentives under the revised state business tax, and make recommendations for additional deductions or credits that increase the number of employees covered by health care insurance.
3.	Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
4.	Review Medicaid provider reimbursement rate methodologies, including the impact of factors such as infrastructure concerns, federal minimum wage changes, and cost reports. Study the impact on access to care, quality of care, and value, and make recommendations for legislative changes, taking into account rate increases contained in the current budget. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee)
5.	Study and review state and local options for expanding transportation funding and explore options to reduce diversions of Fund 6 revenue. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security)
6.	Study and make recommendations relating to whether the Texas Department of Transportation is in compliance with Transportation Code §201.109, Revenue Enhancement, and whether the Texas Department of Transportation is using the funding sources provided by the Legislature, including, but not limited to, General Obligation, Fund 6 and Mobility Fund bonds, to build new roads. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security)
7.	Monitor and provide a brief update on the implementation of legislation addressed by the Finance Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve or enhance and complete implementation. SB 247, 80th R.S., relating to Sudan divestment, and make recommendations about whether to include Iran in the divestment strategy; SB1332, 80th R.S., to help improve the state's debt management and oversight, including a more comprehensive review of state debt and improved communication between entities and oversight of state bond issuance; SB 10, 80th R.S., and the Frew settlement to ensure that the initiatives carried out by the Health and Human Services Commission affect meaningful improvement in access to quality care in the Texas Medicaid program; and HB 3732, 80th R.S., relating to ultra-clean coal technologies, and determine the amount of property tax removed from the tax rolls, as well as the corresponding impact on school finance. Identify any changes needed to strengthen the program and ensure its success.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Eight-liners | Election fraud | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Entergy Corporation | Gambling | Health care costs | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Investment of public funds | Legislative intent | Medical research | Medically uninsured | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Privatization | Public retirement systems | Statutory revision | Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Lottery | Tort reform | Voter identification | Voting systems | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.80 St29a
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View report [308 pages  File size: 43,740 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the factors that impact the transparency and efficiency of the health insurance market. Make recommendation to result in the use of best practices, lower health care costs, and better health outcomes, including the following: Study factors contributing to the increasing cost of health care; Study insurer and health maintenance organization (HMO) use of tiers, ratings, or classifications to differentiate among credentialed physicians already admitted to the insurer or HMO panel of preferred providers or network; Examine methods to remediate incorrect tiering, ratings, or classifications; Examine how physicians are notified of the standards against which they will be compared and whether they are notified of the standards prior to the evaluation period; Improve transparency with respect to the marketing of prescription drugs; and Study the use of certain nonprofit health corporations - approved under Chapter 162, Occupations Code, in Texas. Examine whether such entities operate on a statewide scale or on a limited scale, whether such entities adhere to the formalities required of corporations, whether the operation of such entities are influenced by owners or members who are not licensed to practice medicine, and whether such entities have ever been decertified or investigated for failure to maintain compliance with Texas law or regulations.
2.	Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of uninsured Texans, focusing on the following: Options to increase access to private health insurance, including 3 Share programs, employer sponsored plans and portable, individual insurance; Incentives for encouraging counties and local governments to participate in private health insurance cost sharing for their respective residents; Options to reduce health care premiums, including creation of special plans with increased deductibles and catastrophic coverage; Implementation and possible expansion of health services districts; Other state programs for increasing market-based coverage of the uninsured, including costs and effectiveness; Options that will increase consumer choice and personal responsibility; and Analysis of state and federal regulations that contribute to higher premium costs.
3.	Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, including the current eligibility for coverage requirements, the economic profiles of participants and former participants, the affordability of the insurance products’ premiums and deductibles, and the public's awareness of the Pool.
4.	Study the issue of security and accuracy in Texas elections. The study should include the benefits and risks of electronic voting technology, including the necessity of maintaining a paper record of each electronic vote. The study should also include an analysis of fraud in Texas elections, including prosecution rates for voter fraud, the processes for purging ineligible voters from voter lists, and the integrity of the mail-in and provisional ballot systems. Study the effectiveness of electronic voting technology and voter ID laws in other states. Monitor the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, including the implementation of the Texas Election Administration Management system. Recommend statutory and regulatory changes designed to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to vote in Texas elections and that each vote is accurately counted.
5.	Review and make recommendations for requiring insurance coverage of routine medical care for patients with a life-threatening disease or condition who have elected to participate in a clinical trial.
6.	Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas.
7.	Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement 2nd of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes.
8.	Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 79th R.S., by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system.
9.	Study and make recommendations to reduce illegal gambling in Texas, including, but not limited to, the illegal use of Eight-Liners.
10.	Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of phasing in a defined-contribution pension for future employees versus the existing defined-benefit pension plan. Study options for transition or implementation issues and how the phase-in could be structured. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities.
11.	Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the quality of health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint charge with Senate Criminal Justice Committee)
12.	Review and evaluate appropriate state regulation of a private operator of the state lottery should the state receive bids for a lease of the lottery that merit strong consideration. Provide recommendations for ensuring the security and integrity of the lottery and for adequate consumer protections. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
13.	Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
14.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the State Affairs Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. In particular, monitor and report on the effect of HB 2365, 80th R.S., which allows public entities to report "other post employment benefits" (OPEBs) on a statutory modified accrual basis, including any effect on auditor opinions, bond ratings, or other fiscal issues. Monitor the implementation of SB 1731, 80th R.S., relating to transparency of health information, and SB 1846, 80th R.S., relating to TRS.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 79th Legislature
Subjects:	Border health | Damage award caps | Election administration | Election laws | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Liability insurance | Managed care | Medical liability insurance | Medically uninsured | Nursing homes | Patients' rights | Quality of care | Rural health care | State employee benefits | State mandated health insurance | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Tort reform | Voter registration | Voting systems |
Library Call Number:	L1836.78 St29a
Session:	78th R.S. (2003)
Online version:	View report [0 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the implementation of changes made to the state group health insurance plans and identify additional cost-saving measures. Study the feasibility and practicality of offering health reimbursement accounts as an alternate health insurance plan for those insured in ERS, TRS, and university plans. Provide recommendations regarding whether the current method of administering these programs is in the best interest of the State of Texas and the various insured populations, or whether such programs might be more efficiently administered in another fashion.
2.	Monitor the implementation of HB 1549, 78th R.S., the Federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, to assure that Texas meets the criteria to secure the proposed federal funding. Make recommendations for statutory changes required to implement federal legislation and improve the efficiency of the process.
3.	Study the implementation of SB 10, 78th R.S., and SB 541, 78th R.S., and make recommendations, as needed, to make health insurance more accessible, and affordable for all Texans.
4.	Study the April 2003 United States Supreme Court decision in Kentucky Association of Health Plans v. Miller to determine its impact on Texas laws regulating health insurance plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and make recommendations to changes in state law to conform with recent federal court decisions.
5.	Study the reimbursement methodology of health care plans operating in Texas for out-of-network claims, specifically focusing upon the reimbursement of usual and customary charges, and make recommendations on how to improve their effectiveness. The study and recommendations should encompass all plans, including those participating in Texas Medicaid managed care program and should consider federal and state laws as well as Health & Human Services Commission rules relating to the reimbursement of out-of-network claims.
6.	Study the implementation of HB 4, 78th R.S., and Proposition 12 in achieving lower medical malpractice rates and providing more access to affordable health care. Monitor and report on trends in medical malpractice insurance rates and the effect of tort reform on access to health care and provider shortages in certain regions, particularly along the Border.
7.	Study and report on the affordability, reasonableness, and impact of mandatory liability insurance on the nursing home industry. Assess and report on the effects of the admissibility of quality reports.
Committee:	Joint Binational Health Benefit Plan Coverage, Interim
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Interim Committee on Binational Health Benefit Plan Coverage.
Subjects:	Border health | Health care | Health care providers | Health insurance |
Library Call Number:	L1836.77 b51
Session:	77th R.S. (2001)
Online version:	View report [140 pages  File size: 8,344 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the provision of binational health benefit plan coverage.
2.	Hold hearings in the border areas of the state to: (1) determine the need for binational health benefit plan coverage; (2) assess the health care needs of the border area and how those needs can be served by various types of providers; and (3) assess the affordability, cost-effectiveness, economic impact, and improved health status achievable through binational health benefit plan coverage.
Committee:	Senate Prompt Payment of Health Care Providers, Special
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 78th Legislature / Texas Special Committee on Prompt Payment of Health Care Providers.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Medical liability insurance | Medical malpractice | Prompt payment of insurance claims | Tort reform |
Library Call Number:	L1836.77 p944
Session:	77th R.S. (2001)
Online version:	View report [155 pages  File size: 3,563 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	The Committee shall evaluate the effectiveness of existing state law and agency rules designed to ensure prompt payment of health insurance claims to providers by insurance companies. The Committee should assess the level of industry compliance with current law and the necessity of additional enforcement measures. The Committee shall determine the factors affecting the timeliness of reimbursements and make necessary recommendations to improve the process.
2.	The committee shall evaluate the effectiveness of existing state law and agency rules relating to the current medical professional liability system. The committee should assess the causes of rising malpractice insurance rates in Texas, including the impact of medical malpractice lawsuits, and their impact on access to health care. Based on that assessment, the committee should determine the need for corrective action and make recommendations as necessary.
Committee:	Joint Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report to the 77th Legislature / Texas Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Indigent health care | Medically uninsured |
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 un3
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Online version:	View report [58 pages  File size: 1,652 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	The Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured was created by SCR 6, 76th R.S.. The task force was created to examine the problem of Texans who lack health insurance, to review demographic trends relating to the uninsured population and to examine other states' programs, laws, and systems which address the lack of affordable health coverage. The task force will develop a market-based improvement plan to ensure that Texans have access to affordable health care coverage and prepare recommendations for consideration by the 77th Legislature. The nine member task force includes three public members appointed by the governor, three senators appointed by the lt. governor, and three representatives appointed by the speaker. The chair was elected by the members.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Joint Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured
Title:	Compilation of responses
Library Catalog Title:	Compilation of responses to Blue Ribbon Task Force's Request for Information (RFI) : proposals to provide additional health insurance coverage options for Texans.
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 un3ph
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Committee:	Joint Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured
Title:	Demographic profile of the Texas population without health insurance coverage
Library Catalog Title:	Demographic profile of the Texas population without insurance coverage / prepared by Research Department, Division of Research, Planning and Program Evaluation, Texas Health and Human Services Commission for the Texas Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsu
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 un3dp
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Committee:	Joint Mandated Health Benefits, Interim
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Joint Interim Committee on Mandated Health BenefitsTexas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Health care | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Medically uninsured | State mandates |
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 h348b
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Online version:	View report [109 pages  File size: 5,185 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	HB 1919, 76th R.S., charged the Committee to study and make recommendations on the following: the effect of mandated benefits on the cost and accessibility of health benefit coverages
2.	the effect of mandated benefits on improving and maintaining the health of Texans
3.	the number and percentage of residents making claims for the mandated benefits
4.	the impact and feasibility of eliminating, revising, or providing alternatives to mandated benefits.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Insurance, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Banks and banking | Health insurance | Homeowners insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance rates | Insurance, Texas Department of | Prompt payment of insurance claims | State mandates |
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 IN7
Session:	75th R.S. (1997)
Online version:	View report [104 pages  File size: 3,310 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction.
2.	Study the incremental costs of health insurance benefits mandated by the legislature. Explore ways for the legislature to obtain accurate information on the costs of mandates proposed by legislation. Evaluate the effects, if any, of currently mandated benefits on premium costs, the market, and access to coverage.
3.	Review issues related to insurance company claims handling and the laws relating to failure to handle claims in good faith.
4.	Conduct a review of the various lines of insurance and the extent to which the lines are regulated as to (1) premium rates, (2) policy forms, (3) financial integrity, (4) market conduct, and (5) other factors determined by the committee.
5.	Monitor federal banking reform initiatives to see that state interests in the regulation of financial institutions and insurance companies are protected. (Joint with the House Committee on Financial Institutions)
Committee:	Senate Economic Development
Title:	Interim report - Medical savings accounts
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report on medical savings accounts.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Managed care | Medical savings accounts | Medically uninsured | Quality of care |
Library Call Number:	L1836.74 m468
Session:	74th R.S. (1995)
Online version:	View report [95 pages  File size: 4,336 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Study the potential benefits and liabilities of medical savings accounts as an additional health care option for individuals and employers.
Committee:	Joint Health Insurance Access, Interim
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Final report of the Joint Interim Committee on Health Insurance Access.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Insurance rates | Medically uninsured |
Library Call Number:	L1836.73 h349mr
Session:	73rd R.S. (1993)
Online version:	View report [421 pages  File size: 27,782 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Investigate and evaluate the experience of other jurisdictions in which guaranteed issue of health benefit plans has been required.
2.	Collect and evaluate data regarding the effect of guaranteed issue requirements on health insurance availability and accessibility.
3.	Collect and evaluate data regarding the effect of guaranteed issue requirements on health insurance rates.
Committee:	Joint Qualified Providers, Interim
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Joint Interim Committee on Qualified Providers: report to the 74th Legislature.
Subjects:	Health care providers | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Managed care |
Library Call Number:	L1836.73 qu25
Session:	73rd R.S. (1993)
Online version:	View report [76 pages  File size: 2,557 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Pursuant to HB 1461, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, the committee should study the impact of requiring a health insurance policy or health maintenance plan to allow any qualified provider who is a physician, physician's assistant, advanced nurse practitioner, or any class of provider enumerated in Articles 21.52 and 21.52B, Insurance Code, to participate as a contracting provider for such a policy or plan.
Committee:	Senate Economic Development, Interim
Title:	Interim report - Employee leasing practices
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report, 72nd Legislature, employee leasing practices / Senate Interim Committee on Economic Development.
Subjects:	Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Health insurance | Staff leasing | Unemployment benefits | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 em73
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [41 pages  File size: 1,553 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	The Committee shall study employee leasing practices.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Committee on Insurance, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Legislature.
Subjects:	Age discrimination | Americans with Disabilities Act | Automobile insurance | Credit insurance | Dentists | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas Department of | Medically uninsured | Office of Public Interest Counsel | Senior citizens | Texas Catastrophic Property Insurance Association | Uninsured motorists | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 in7
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [63 pages  File size: 2,598 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 18. A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
2.	Monitor and coordinate with the Texas Health Policy Task Force as it relates to accessible and affordable health care insurance.
3.	Study no-fault auto insurance.
4.	Study the impact on current Texas insurance policies of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
5.	Study supervision, conservation, and liquidation of insurers.
6.	Study cancellation of personal auto insurance of the elderly.
7.	Study modifications of rate regulation in Texas concerning auto and fire allied lines.
8.	Study establishment and regulation of dental referral plans.
9.	Study credit life and credit accident and health regulation.
10.	Review the operation of the Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Association *
Committee:	Joint Employee Benefits, Select
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Joint Select Committee on Employee Benefits to the 72nd Legislature.
Subjects:	Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health care costs | Health insurance | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.71 em73
Session:	71st R.S. (1989)
Online version:	View report [162 pages  File size: 6,142 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Study the administration of employee health insurance programs, including those programs administered by institutions of higher education; issues related to the state contribution to health insurance premiums; and issues relating to the structure, administration, and financing of employee retirement systems. The study shall include, but not be limited to, a review of the competitive process for the selection of health care providers, cost containment measures and their implementation, administrative or legislative actions that may have contributed to increased costs or reduced benefits in health care coverage, the interpretation and implementation of statutorily mandated uniformity of benefits, changes in the administrative structure of health insurance programs, and, in regard to retirement systems, the methodology and accuracy of actuarial analysis, the transferability of retirement benefits among systems, and the method of calculation of the state contribution to the employees' pension funds.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Joint Employee Benefits, Select
Title:	Proclamation
Library Catalog Title:	Proclamation
Library Call Number:	L1800.1 p926
Session:	71st R.S. (1989)
Online version:	View document [1 pages  File size: 120 kb]
Committee:	Joint Insurance Regulation, Special
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Special Joint Committee on Insurance Regulation : to the 72nd Legislature.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Insurance deregulation | Insurance rates | Insurance, Texas State Board of |
Library Call Number:	L1836.71 in71
Session:	71st R.S. (1989)
Online version:	View report [398 pages  File size: 21,370 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Conduct a comprehensive study of the State Board of Insurance, propose solutions to correct regulatory deficiencies at that agency, make recommendations for the statutory reorganization of insurance regulation by the State of Texas and participate in the recodification of the Texas Insurance Code. The committee's study of state insurance regulation shall include issues relating to data-reporting requirements, the role of rating organizations, and exemption from state antitrust laws.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Joint Insurance Regulation, Special
Title:	Proclamation
Library Catalog Title:	Proclamation
Library Call Number:	L1800.1 p926
Session:	71st R.S. (1989)
Online version:	View document [1 pages  File size: 111 kb]
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report of the Insurance Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 70th Legislature.
Subjects:	Business taxes | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance rates | Insurance, Texas State Board of | Long-term care insurance | Medically uninsured | State mandates |
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 in7
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View report [52 pages  File size: 1,307 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To monitor all activities and have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards, and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 18.
2.	To study the feasibility of long term catastrophic care insurance plans including nursing home care.
3.	To study existing statutes mandating health insurance coverage for certain diseases, disabilities and care provided by certain health care professionals, and evaluate the scope of all mandated benefits.
4.	To study the proliferation of self insurance plans and the impact of HB 61, 70th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, on the taxation of such plans.
5.	To study the equity of the current insurance premium tax system and the feasibility of alternatives. (Joint study with Ways and Means Committee).
Committee:	House Retirement and Aging
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report, 70th Legislature / Committee on Retirement and Aging.
Subjects:	Affordable housing | Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Life insurance | Long-term care insurance | Medicaid | Medical reimbursements | Nursing homes | Nursing shortages | Public retirement systems | Senior citizens | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 r314
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View report [119 pages  File size: 4,409 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To study the feasibility and cost of expansion of the shared housing program of the Texas Department of Aging.
2.	Study the televised advertising of health and life insurance plans aimed at the elderly population.
3.	To study the state retirement systems.
4.	To study the current and projected financial condition of the private long-term care industry and examine possible funding alternatives, including the feasibility of tax deductible payments for nursing home care.
5.	To study the costs and benefits of expanding internal administration of real estate investments in comparison to engaging outside real estate advisors by the Teachers Retirement System.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report of the Insurance Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 69th Legislature.
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Birth defects | Children's health insurance | Environmental cleanup | Hazardous substances | Health insurance | Liability insurance | Preferred provider organizations | Property insurance | Texas Catastrophic Property Insurance Association |
Library Call Number:	L1836.69 in7
Session:	69th R.S. (1985)
Online version:	View report [55 pages  File size: 1,308 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor all activities and have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 17.
2.	Study the advantages and disadvantages of the preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan, with particular emphasis on consideration of quality of services, access to services, cost of care rendered, the effect on existing physician-patient relationships, and a proposed legislative/regulatory structure for such medical care delivery and financing arrangements; in conjunction with Human Services and Public Health Committees.
3.	Study the need in Texas to make available to newborn infants accident and sickness insurance benefits covering sickness or illness including congenital benefits.
4.	Study possible reforms in the State's mandatory liability insurance laws.
5.	Study the problems and financial soundness of the CAT (catastrophic) insurance pool and the potential liability to the State of maintaining the present system.
6.	Study the feasibility of mandatory extended care coverage for head injury victims after that victim has left the initial care facility of a licensed hospital.
7.	Study the availability of and rising costs of liability insurance in Texas.
8.	Study liability and insurability problems being faced by the engineering and construction companies who seek to participate in the cleanup of hazardous waste disposal sites in Texas.
Committee:	House Public Health
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Committee on Public Health.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Texas Department of | Mental health services | Mentally disabled persons | Preferred provider organizations |
Library Call Number:	L1836.69 h349
Session:	69th R.S. (1985)
Online version:	View report [24 pages  File size: 694 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To study the development and administration of master plans for mental health and mental retardation by the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardations (MHMR).
2.	To study the advantages and disadvantages of the preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan, with particular emphasis on consideration of quality of services, access to services, cost of care rendered, the effect on existing physician-patient relationships, and a proposed legislative/regulatory structure for such medical care delivery and financing arrangements; in conjunction with Insurance and Human Services Committees.
3.	To study the statewide need for expanded respite care programs for the mentally retarded.
Committee:	House Appropriations
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 69th Texas Legislature, Texas House of Representatives / Appropriations Committee.
Subjects:	Computers and government | Databases | Distributed electricity generation | Electric power plants | Energy conservation | Government travel costs | Health insurance | Job training programs | State agencies | State agency budgets | State budgets | State buildings | State employees | Tuition | University finance | Welfare-to-work |
Library Call Number:	L1836.68 ap65
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View report [55 pages  File size: 1,748 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To monitor all activities and have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 2.
2.	To investigate the feasibility of having state offices in foreign countries for use of various state agencies, including but not limited to: a. The Department of Agriculture b. The Industrial Commission c. The Tourist Development Agency
3.	To review the capital outlay requirements of various facilities operated by the state in order to: a. Determine the need for state-owned floor space in Travis County. b. Set priorities in regards to the capital outlay of all state agencies and institutions.
4.	To review state employees group insurance to: a. Determine the most cost effective bidding procedures available to the state. b. Examine alternatives to reducing state costs for the employees' group health insurance program.
5.	To have interim oversight of all automated services in state government to: a. Determine the role of automation in state government. b. Research the possibility of coordination of automated services of small state agencies into a Central Automated System.
6.	To review the travel policies and the transportation needs of state agencies to: a. Analyze the necessity of travel and the reimbursement policies of state agencies and institutions. b. Consider the feasibility of advanced telecommunication in lieu of travel. c. Explore the feasibility of having a motor pool for all Austin based state agencies. d. Examine the use of TDC in repairing and reconditioning state owned vehicles.
7.	To review funding sources and general revenue to determine: a. Policies concerning estimates of local income as an offset to general funding. b. The appropriate policy in the application of indirect cost as it relates to federal and private funding in the method of financing state agencies and institutions. c. The impact of general rider provisions, with particular emphasis of Sec. 67, Art. V, as it relates to proportional funding of selected agencies. d. Review budget and agency policies (including salary, leave, and travel policies) of those agencies whose budgets are not controlled by the General Appropriations Act.
8.	To study the possibility of state agencies and institutions developing sources of energy for their own consumption.
9.	To conduct a comparative study to determine the most effective means of helping the welfare-unemployed enter the state work force.
10.	To review in cooperation with the House Committee on Higher Education in tuitional policies of institutions of higher education as it pertains to exemptions, particularly in payment of tuition of out-of-state students.
11.	To review planning and coordination of research by state agencies for the purpose of recommending those changes which will improve effectiveness and utility of the research product. Review shall include, but not be limited to: a. Research funded through state appropriations, federal grants, private grants, and interagency contracts.
12.	To review the advantages and disadvantages of annual vs. biennial appropriations.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report of the Insurance Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature.
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Consumer protection | Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act | Fire prevention | Firefighters | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance rates | Property insurance | Rural issues | State buildings | State mandates | Texas Catastrophic Property Insurance Association | Tropical storms |
Library Call Number:	L1836.68 in7
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View report [255 pages  File size: 7,620 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To monitor all activities and have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 16.
2.	To monitor the study being conducted by the State Board of insurance pursuant to HCR 213, 68th R.S., relating to the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of property/casualty rate making and policy form implementation.
3.	To study mandated coverages in the health insurance field and recommend a coherent policy of state mandated coverages. Examine effects of mandated coverages on rates and premiums as well as the impact of utilization and adverse selection when coverages are mandated.
4.	To study advantages and disadvantages of alternative methods of marketing and underwriting uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage currently found in other states and their possible application in Texas, including proposals by which underinsured motorists coverage could be offered without the requirement that benefits be reduced by the amount of the other party's liability coverage.
5.	To study the fire record credit system as it currently affects the costs of every fire and commercial multiperil insurance policy in this state; to determine whether the provision of debits or credits based on fire loss experience has had its desired effect of enhancing fire prevention and protection; and to determine whether these desired goals could be achieved in a more equitable or less administratively burdensome manner.
6.	To conduct a study to determine if current Texas law regulating unfair and deceptive trade practices in the business of insurance achieves its desired goals of enhancing consumer protection and full disclosure of insurance information without unfairly punishing persons involved in the business of insurance for innocent acts, and to conduct a survey of other state laws to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of other states' attempts to provide fair and effective consumer protection in the business of insurance.
7.	To study advantages and disadvantages of support for volunteer fire departments through a surcharge on insurance premiums in rural areas.
8.	To study advantages and disadvantages of a state self-insurance program to provide funds to replace state property and buildings in case of fire or other disasters.
9.	To study the impact of Hurricane Alicia on the insurance industry in Texas. Consider the issues of solvency, prices, and availability of windstorm insurance in the storm area. Also study the effectiveness of operation of the Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Association.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report of the Insurance Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature.
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Consumer protection | Fire prevention | Health insurance | Insurance agents | Insurance industry |
Library Call Number:	L1836.67 in7
Session:	67th R.S. (1981)
Online version:	View report [172 pages  File size: 59,063 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor the costs and effectiveness of the compulsory auto liability law passed during the regular session as HB 197, 67th R.S..
2.	Study the need for and feasibility of the establishment of fire protection standards on a statewide basis, including the development of a statewide fire code.
3.	Study the need for and the feasibility of additional methods by which citizens of this state may meet the requirement of financial responsibility, including self-insurance, bonding, dedicated savings accounts, and other alternatives.
4.	Study the need for raising the limits on financial responsibility from the current 5, 10 and 20 basis to new increased limits.
5.	Study the uses of temporary licenses for insurance agents to determine whether there is a continued need for the use of such licenses.
6.	Study the handling of claims by insurance companies to determine whether the public is being treated fairly in the adjustment and payment of claims, including recommendations for legislation, if necessary.
7.	Study the effects of optional coverage for part-time faculty members of junior and community colleges under the uniform group insurance program for college and university employees.
8.	Study the effectiveness of the assigned risk plan for motor vehicle insurance to determine if the plan is working as effectively as possible, and specifically whether a "pool" arrangement would better provide for the needs of the public in Texas, and whether the plan should be expanded to allow for more than minimum limits of coverage, and expanded to additional types of risks.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report, Sixty Sixth Legislative session / the Committee on Insurance, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects:	Automobile insurance | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Health care | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas State Board of | Teacher health insurance |
Library Call Number:	L1836.65 in7
Session:	65th R.S. (1977)
Online version:	View report [132 pages  File size: 5,870 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	A study of the assigned risk plan with its effects on insurance rates and availability as well as other impact it may have, including research and recommendations on special rating categories.
2.	A study of health insurance, to include health insurance at the state level, mandatory health insurance, minimum standards for health insurance policies, conversion of policies, standard provisions, and group insurance for public school employees.
3.	Oversight responsibility of agency expenditures and related transactions. This function shall encompass a review and monitoring of all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 65th Regular Session of the Legislature, to wit: Board of Insurance
4.	A study of the current definition of Texas securities as they affect insurance companies in the state; include the drafting of such a definition to regulate investments in securities by insurance companies more effectively; and make recommendations to achieve a more equitable method of premium taxation on insurance companies doing business in the state of Texas.
5.	A study of the services an insurance administrator performs, the methodology of regulating this growing profession, and the degree of necessity thereof, and a further study of the licensing and education requirements for insurance agents in general.
Committee:	Senate Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	A report to the 62nd Legislature / by the Interim Senate Insurance Study Committee as authorized by S.R. 834, 61st Legislature, 1969.
Subjects:	Health care costs | Health insurance | Insurance industry |
Library Call Number:	L1836.61 in7
Session:	61st R.S. (1969)
Online version:	View report [38 pages  File size: 1,423 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Investigate the facts surrounding the practices of health, accident, and hospitalization insurance companies in dealings with policyholders and the general public in order to determine whether legislation might be needed to protect the public as well as the insurance industry in general.
Committee:	Senate Insurance Investigation, Hospital, Health and Accident Insurance
Title:	Interim Report - 1968
Library Catalog Title:	[Report] / Senate Insurance Investigation Committee, Hospital, Health, and Accident Insurance.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Insurance industry |
Library Call Number:	L1836.60 in7 1968
Session:	60th R.S. (1967)
Online version:	View report [3 pages  File size: 91 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Make inquiries into the affairs and activities of any or all insurance companies selling, or offering to sell, health, accident or hospitalization insurance within this State.
Committee:	Senate Insurance Investigation, Hospital, Health and Accident Insurance
Title:	Interim Report - 1969
Library Catalog Title:	[Report] / Senate Insurance Investigation Committee, Hospital, Health, and Accident Insurance.
Subjects:	Health insurance | Insurance industry |
Library Call Number:	L1836.60 in7 1969
Session:	60th R.S. (1967)
Online version:	View report [19 pages  File size: 1,101 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Make inquiries into the affairs and activities of any or all insurance companies selling, or offering to sell, health, accident or hospitalization insurance within this State.

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.