Bill Caption

Relating to the Office for Health Equity. 

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 4139, As Introduced : a NEGATIVE impact of ($5,449,965) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. 

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement to provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

HB 4139 would change the Center for the Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities to the Office for Health Equity. The Health and Human Services Commission would be required to create health equity and seek out state and federal agencies, universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations, and offices of minority, gender, age health in order to coordinate and maximize use of existing resources.

HB 4139 would require this office to investigate and report on issues related to health and health access disparities among multicultural, ethnic disadvantaged, gender, age, language, and regional populations along with collecting data; make that de-identified data public; monitor existing and emerging trends; develop and implement short term and long term strategies to promote equity; monitor progress; advise and assist the commission on implementing any target programs or funding; examine the role of disparities in education, criminal justice, housing, economic opportunity, environment, and other social determinants which contribute to disparities in health access and outcomes; examine how health disparities impact access to opportunities; and advise the commission on provider contracting. 

HB 4135 would require the commission to work with the HHS to ensure that contracts for procurement promote health equity. The office would assist contracted providers to implement programs and strategies to promote health equity. HB 4135 would allow the office to work with other Texas Agencies to advice and assist in the implementation of these programs and strategies. 

HB 4135 would require this center to conduct a study to assess the disproportionate effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had upon racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, gender, age, and regional populations in this state. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 4135 offends the principles of limited government and individual liberty by growing government at taxpayer expense to perform functions that are not proper roles of government and to promote equity over equality which undermines equality and further divides society.