HBA-NRS H.B. 2498 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2498
By: Haggerty
Insurance
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of Texas to find a
cost-effective manner of delivering health care services through affordable
health care plans to citizens residing on both side of the Texas-Mexico
border and further finds that the provision of health care coverage in the
border area is not conducive to preventive care and prenatal care, or to
the provision of a medical home for binational families. House Bill 2498
establishes an interim committee to study the provision of binational
health benefit plan coverage. 

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

House Bill 2498 establishes an interim committee to study the provision of
binational health benefit plan coverage. The bill requires the interim
committee to hold hearings in the border areas of the state to determine
the need for binational health benefit plan coverage, to assess the health
care needs of the border area and how those needs can be served by various
types of providers, and to assess the affordability, cost-effectiveness,
economic impact, and improved health status achievable through binational
health benefit plan coverage. The bill requires the interim committee to
file a committee report with the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker
of the house of representatives no later than October 1, 2002. The bill
expires December 31, 2002.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.