HBA-NLM H.B. 1854 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1854
By: Thompson
County Affairs
4/8/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is concern that indigent health care services may  be inaccessible to
some persons due to the lack of these types of services in certain
geographic locations and lack of transportation. H.B. 1854 requires the
Harris County Hospital District (district) to contract for indigent health
care services with at least one hospital located in the district, exempt
from federal income tax under certain provisions and amendments in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and substantially devoted to providing
hospital services to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in
the geographical area of the district. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, by
adding Section 281.0514, as follows: 

Sec. 281.0514. HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT; CONTRACT WITH CERTAIN
HOSPITALS.   Requires the Harris County Hospital District (district) to
contract for indigent health care services with at least one hospital
located in the district, exempt from federal income tax under certain
provisions and amendments in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
substantially devoted to providing hospital services to socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals in the geographical area of the
district. Provides that a contract under this section  is subject to
Section 281.051(a) (Contracting Authority). 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.