| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the Rita Littlefield Chronic Kidney Disease Centralized Resource Center established within the Health and Human Services Commission.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 4015, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a NEGATIVE impact of ($1,524,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The Health and Human Services Commission is required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. IF the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to , implement the Act using other appropriations available for the purpose.
HB 4015 would establish within the Department of State Health Services the Rita Littlefield Chronic Kidney Disease Centralized Resource Center to serve as a centralized system through which persons may request and obtain information on chronic kidney disease and related illnesses, including each level of kidney disease and end stage renal disease; and register for inclusion for in a kidney health clinical trials registry to receive information on clinical trial opportunities.
The commission would be required to structure and operate the resource center to provide a comprehensive approach to readily access information on and resources; and establish a kidney health clinical trials registry which could be maintained by the resource center. The information in these resource centers would include aggregated information on: chronic kidney disease awareness, prevention, and professional education opportunities; patient and family resources; and resources on chronic kidney disease treatment options and modalities. Such information would be both in English and Spanish.
The commission would be required to establish and the resource center would maintain an Internet website for employees and the public to directly communicate and exchange information on chronic kidney disease and related illnesses. The commission would be allowed to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source for this program.
HB 4015 establishes a resource center that is beyond the scope and role of government. Charitable nonprofit and private industry are the proper forums and placement for such a resource program. Texas Action opposes HB 4015.