HBA-MSH S.B. 751 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 751 By: Shapleigh Public Health 5/1/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A promotora is a person who with or without compensation provides a bilingual liaison between health care providers and patients through activities that include assisting in case conferences, providing patient education, making referrals to health and social services, conducting needs assessments, distributing surveys to identify barriers to health care delivery, making home visits, and providing language services. Medicaid does not provide reimbursement for the services of a promotora decreasing the frequency with which they are used and hindering the quality of care provided to underserved, non-English speaking clients. Senate Bill 751 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to require health and human services agencies to use certified promotoras in health outreach and education programs for recipients of Medicaid. 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. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 751 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission to require health and human services agencies to use certified promotoras to the extent possible in health outreach and education programs for recipients of medical assistance. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.