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2 Document(s) [ Subject: State mandated health insurance ]

Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects:	Child Protective Services \| Election fraud \| Emergency medical services \| Eminent domain \| Employees \| Employees Retirement System of Texas \| Employers \| Employment \| Health care costs \| Health maintenance organizations \| Liability \| Lobbyists \| Medical bill balance billing \| Privatization \| Public retirement systems \| State mandated health insurance \| Teacher Retirement System of Texas \| Voter identification \| Voting by mail \| Workers' compensation \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.79 St29a
Session:	79th R.S. (2005)
Online version:	View report [211 pages File size: 6,521 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the Employees Retirement System of Texas ("ERS") including the actuarial soundness of the ERS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the ERS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the ERS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency.
2.	Study the Teachers Retirement System of Texas ("TRS") including the actuarial soundness of the TRS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the TRS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the implementation of SB 1370, 79th R.S.; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the TRS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency
3.	Study and make recommendations on how election officials could verify the identity of a voter without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots.
4.	Monitor the implementation of HB 7, 79th R.S., relating to the workers compensation system of this state.
5.	Study the regulation and management of health care plans, including the following: Study the reimbursement methodology of health care plans for out-of-network claims, the adequacy of health plan networks to provide appropriate coverage, the impact of out-of-network balance billing by physicians and health care providers and the accurate disclosure of patients' out-of-pocket costs. Study the discounting and/or waiving of co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance by physicians and health care providers. Specifically, how this practice can impact the cost to private and public health plans and the impact to acute, multi-service hospitals, including safety net hospitals. Evaluate health care cost transparency by health care providers and access to that information by patients. Review data reported to the Texas Department of Insurance by health care plans, investigate possible expansion of health plans' reportable data, including, but not limited to, administrative costs, and what, if any, is the appropriate release and publication of that information.
6.	Study and review current law on the doctrine of eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v. City of New London. Monitor the implementation of SB 7, 79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and make any necessary recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate compensation for property taken through the use of eminent domain. Determine whether a constitutional amendment is prudent and/or necessary to protect private property owners from condemnations for economic development purposes. Determine which state, regional, and local governmental entities have eminent domain powers and how those powers may be used. Make recommendations regarding their necessity, fairness, and effectiveness. Study the public policy implications relating to Chapter 2007, Government Code, Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act, its effectiveness in protecting private property rights, and the current impact of regulatory takings on private property owners.
7.	Study the costs associated with mandates to insurance companies for increased coverage for specific illnesses, medical conditions, or diseases, including obesity. Provide a cost assessment of the impact of such mandates to the state and local units of government. Include data and analysis of the costs and medical impact associated with insurance mandates which have been enacted in other states, as well as any short- and long-term cost-savings. Develop recommendations on how to provide increased cost-effective coverage, especially to populations with impairments and diseases, as well as the underinsured/uninsured.
8.	Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds.
9.	Study and make recommendations regarding the cost drivers of emergency medical services. Make recommendations on how to improve and sustain EMS services for Texas, as well as reduce costs to health care plans, businesses, and individuals.
10.	Study and review current Texas law on the doctrine of statutory employer, including the 2004 First District Court of Appeals' decision in Etie v. Walsh & Albert Co. and make recommendations of changes in state laws, if necessary, regarding the doctrine of statutory employer and indemnification in construction contracts. Study the current use of Consolidated Insurance Programs and make legislative recommendations, if appropriate.
11.	Assess the benefit of limiting the civil liability for noneconomic damages against non-profit organizations involved in the privatization of child welfare services.
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.

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