Bill

HB 4

87(R) - 2021
House Public Health
Senate Health and Human Services
House Public Health
Senate Health and Human Services
Health & Human Services
Health

Contact the Author

Four Price

Phone:

512-463-0470

Capitol Office:

E1.506

Email:

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Four Price
Trent Ashby
Garnet F. Coleman
Ryan Guillen
Tom Oliverson

Co-Author(s)

Alma A. Allen
Steve Allison
Charles Anderson
Michelle Beckley
Keith Bell
Kyle Biedermann
Greg Bonnen
Dustin Burrows
Angie Chen Button
Briscoe Cain
Elizabeth "Liz" Campos
Terry Canales
Giovanni Capriglione
Travis Clardy
Sheryl Cole
Nicole Collier
David Cook
Philip Cortez
John Cyrier
Drew Darby
Jay Dean
Jake Ellzey
Art Fierro
James Frank
John Frullo
Charlie Geren
Mary Gonzalez
Bobby Guerra
Cole Hefner
Abel Herrero
Donna Howard
Lacey Hull
Jacey Jetton
Julie Johnson
Kyle Kacal
Ken King
Phil King
Stan Lambert
Brooks Landgraf
Jeff Leach
Ben Leman
Ray Lopez
Armando Martinez
Theresa Meza
Mayes Middleton
Ina Minjarez
Christina Morales
Eddie Morales
Victoria Neave
Claudia Ordaz perez
Evelina Ortega
Leo Pacheco
Tan Parker
Dennis Paul
Ana-Maria Ramos
John Raney
Richard Raymond
Eddie Rodriguez
Glenn Rogers
Ramon Romero Jr.
Toni Rose
Matt Shaheen
Hugh Shine
Bryan Slaton
Reggie Smith
David Spiller
Ed Thompson
Tony Tinderholt
Chris Turner
John Turner
Gary VanDeaver
Cody Vasut
James White
Terry Wilson
Gene Wu
Erin Zwiener

Sponsor(s)

Dawn Buckingham

Bill Caption

Relating to the provision and delivery of certain health care services in this state, including services under Medicaid and other public benefits programs, using telecommunications or information technology and to reimbursement for some of those services. 

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the inability to determine the impact on service utilization. 

Bill Analysis

HB 4 would require the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that Medicaid recipients, child health plan program enrollees, and other individuals receiving public benefits administered by the commission have the option to receive services as telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, or otherwise using telecommunication for: 

  • preventative health and wellness services;
  • case management services;
  • behavioral health services (audio-only)
  • occupational, physical, and speech therapy services;
  • nutritional counseling services; and
  • assessment services, including nursing assessments for 1915 waiver programs. 

HB 4 would implement many standardizing regulations to ensure that communication is conducted easily and responsibly for all involved facilities, organizations, Medicaid managed care programs, outpatient treatment services, and healthcare providers as well as provide for the reimbursement of telemonitoring services for certain at-risk individuals. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 4 represents greater access to medical services offered in this state. This opens access to better and more services for individuals on Medicaid, medical assistance programs, child health plans, and other public health programs. As individuals are able to make better decisions for their own healthcare and health, they take an active role in their own healthcare. HB 4 has a positive impact on the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government. Texas Action supports HB 4. 

Contact the Author

Four Price

Phone:

512-463-0470

Capitol Office:

E1.506

Email: