Bill
HB 3934
86(R) - 2019
House Public Health
Senate Business & Commerce
House Public Health
Senate Business & Commerce
Vote Recommendation
Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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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.