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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1854
By: Thompson
County Affairs
4/16/1999
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is concern that indigent health care services may  be inaccessible to
some persons due to the lack such 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.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Amendment # 1 

Amends H.B. 1854 in SECTION 1 (Section 281.0514, Health and Safety Code) to
authorize, rather than require, 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.