HBA-JEK, CCH C.S.H.C.R. 84 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.C.R. 84
By: Maxey
Public Health
4/11/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Medically underserved areas are characterized by high poverty rates, high
infant mortality rates, a high percentage of elderly residents, and a low
percentage of primary care providers.  Out of 254 Texas counties, 176 whole
counties and 47 partial counties have been federally designated as
medically underserved. Texas ranks among the states with the highest
percentage of uninsured persons under the age of 65, due in part to
immigrant households that are more than twice as likely as native-born
citizens to lack health insurance.  Federally funded community-based safety
net programs are specifically designed to assist-low-income persons without
health insurance  and those who live in areas that lack health care
services.  Community health centers and other community-based safety net
programs are cost effective because of  the delivery of primary and
preventive care and the reduction of inappropriate emergency visits and
hospitalizations.  Community-based programs are also able to address the
unique challenges of particular areas such as border towns with a high
percentage of immigrants.  Increasing the number of community-based
programs in medically underserved communities would be a tremendous benefit
for Texas residents, including the 56 percent of noncitizen residents who
are unable to purchase health insurance.  C.S.H.C.R. 84 requests that the
United States Congress increase the number of and funding for federal
community-based health care centers and programs in medically underserved
communities.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.C.R. 84 requests the United States Congress to expand the number of
and funding for federally funded community health centers and other federal
community-based safety-net programs specifically directed to poor and
medically underserved communities in states with the highest number of
uninsured residents. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.C.R. 84 differs from the original resolution by requesting the United
States Congress to expand funding for federally funded community health
centers and other federal community-based safety-net programs in states
with the highest number of uninsured residents.  The substitute adjusts the
number of counties that are federally designated as medically underserved
areas to 176 entire counties and 47 partial counties, rather than 175
counties and 41 partial counties.