85R12884 SMT-D     By: Buckingham S.B. No. 1376       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a joint interim study regarding the state's response to   modifications to federal health care laws.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE.  (a)  A   joint interim committee is created to study the ability in this   state to effectively respond and adapt to and implement significant   modifications to federal health care laws, regulations, and   requirements.          (b)  The joint interim committee is composed of:                (1)  the members of the appropriate standing committees   of the senate and the house of representatives;                (2)  two members of the senate appointed by the   lieutenant governor; and                (3)  two members of the house of representatives   appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.          (c)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of   representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the   joint interim committee members.          (d)  The joint interim committee shall convene at the joint   call of the co-chairs.          (e)  The joint interim committee may adopt rules necessary to   carry out the committee's duties under this section.          (f)  The joint interim committee has all other powers and   duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the   senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,   Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees   on administration.          SECTION 2.  INTERIM STUDY RELATING TO THE STATE'S ABILITY TO   RESPOND TO MODIFICATION OF FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAWS. (a) The joint   interim committee shall study the ability  in this state to respond   and adapt to and implement significant modifications to federal   health care laws, regulations, and requirements.          (b)  The committee shall collaborate with the Health and   Human Services Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, and   other appropriate agencies to conduct a comprehensive, data-driven   readiness review to:                (1)  analyze the potential impact of modifications to   federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements on:                            (A)  state, county, and local governments   and other public entities; and                            (B)  health care providers, hospitals,   health benefit plans, and other private organizations and   individuals in this state;                (2)  identify changes to state laws, regulations, and   requirements necessary to access or manage federal funding:                            (A)  from:                                  (i)  Medicaid;                                  (ii)  Medicare; or                                  (iii)  a block grant funding system   established by the federal government; or                      (B)  authorized by a waiver issued under Section   1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315);                (3)  identify legislative reforms and executive   rulemaking necessary to comply with modified federal health care   laws, regulations, and requirements; and                (4)  review and assess the potential impact of proposed   federal and state policies and reforms on:                      (A)  overall affordability of health care   services;                      (B)  health care cost containment goals;                      (C)  patient access to physical, behavioral, and   mental health care, especially in rural or underserved areas;                      (D)  health care delivery systems in this state;                      (E)  patient outcomes;                      (F)  reimbursement rates to health care   providers; and                      (G)  workforce shortages.          (c)  The joint interim committee shall prepare a report   reflecting the study required under Subsection (a) of this section   that includes proposed reforms to improve the ability in this state   to respond and adapt to and implement significant modifications to   federal health care laws, regulations, and requirements. The joint   interim committee shall include in the report recommendations of   specific statutory and regulatory changes that appear necessary   from the committee's study.          SECTION 3.  COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND PROPOSED REFORMS.  (a)     Not later than December 1, 2018, the joint interim committee   created under Section 1 of this Act shall submit to the lieutenant   governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the   governor the report prepared under Section 2 of this Act.          (b)  Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of   this Act, the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of   representatives shall appoint the members of the joint interim   committee in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.          SECTION 4.  ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The joint interim   committee created under Section 1 of this Act is abolished and this   Act expires January 20, 2019.          SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect   immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members   elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas   Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for   immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.