HBA-MPM S.B. 1065 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1065 By: Lucio Public Health 4/24/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Since 1956, services provided at South Texas Hospital in Harlingen, Texas have increased to such an extent that the hospital is now a major provider of sub-acute indigent care in its region. In 1999, the 76th Legislature enacted law to contract for outpatient services, construct new facilities, and authorize county and hospital districts to pool resources through the creation of a new health services district. To reflect the new framework created by this legislation, Senate Bill 1065 changes the name of South Texas Hospital to the South Texas Health Care System and removes obsolete provisions relating to the hospital. 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 1065 amends the Health and Safety Code to modify references in law to the South Texas Hospital (hospital) to mean the South Texas Health Care System (system) and set forth that an appropriation to the Texas Department of Health for the use and benefit of the hospital is available for the use and benefit of the system. The bill repeals provisions regarding the creation and use of the medical services trust fund. The bill also repeals provisions authorizing and governing the Respiratory Disease Pilot Program. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.