Bill

HB 3934

86(R) - 2019
House Public Health
Senate Business & Commerce
House Public Health
Senate Business & Commerce

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

James Frank

Sponsor(s)

Charles Perry

Bill Caption

Relating to the authority of rural hospitals to establish a health care collaborative.

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board, no fiscal impact to the state is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 3934 would define a "rural hospital" as a licensed hospital with 75 beds or fewer that is located in a county with a population of 50,000 or less; or has been designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a critical access hospital, rural referral center, or community hospital. Also, these hospitals would be added to the current statutory definition of a "health care collaborative." According to the bill author, the purpose of this legislation is to allow rural hospitals to coordinate together to form a health care collaborative to negotiate better reimbursement rates with the goal of helping rural hospitals avoid closure. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Since this is a matter that does not concern liberty principles, Texas Action has a neutral stance towards HB 3934. However, this does appear to be sound public policy.