82R9400 RWG-D
	By: McClendon	H.B. No. 2024

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the creation of the health benefit plan innovations
	program in the Texas Department of Insurance.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 5, Insurance Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 525 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 525. HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN INNOVATIONS PROGRAM
	Sec. 525.001.  PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.  (a)  The department
	shall develop and implement a health benefit plan innovations
	program to study the number of uninsured individuals in this state,
	the reasons those individuals are uninsured, and possible solutions
	that would expand access to affordable health benefit plan coverage
	in this state.
	(b)  The department shall use department employees already
	employed in the consumer protection division of the department to
	implement the program. The department may not hire full-time
	employees whose primary job functions would solely be
	implementation of the program.
	Sec. 525.002.  PROGRAM COMPONENTS. (a)  Except as provided
	by Subsection (b), the program implemented under this chapter must:
	(1)  collect and analyze data concerning the number,
	age, and demographic characteristics of uninsured individuals in
	this state;
	(2)  identify the reasons why individuals in this state
	are uninsured;
	(3)  examine and evaluate the effectiveness of programs
	implemented in other states to reduce the number of uninsured
	residents in those states;
	(4)  monitor and evaluate the health benefit market in
	this state and determine whether residents of this state have
	sufficient access to a variety of health benefit plan products to
	ensure adequate health benefit plan coverage; and
	(5)  make recommendations to the department and to the
	legislature concerning programs or initiatives to be implemented in
	this state to reduce the number of uninsured residents in this
	state.
	(b)  The program must supplement and may not duplicate a
	service or function of another existing program or state agency and
	shall refer consumers to other programs and agencies where
	appropriate.
	(c)  The program may:
	(1)  operate a statewide clearinghouse for objective
	consumer information about health care coverage, including options
	for obtaining health care coverage;
	(2)  collect, track, and quantify problems and
	inquiries encountered by consumers;
	(3)  educate consumers on their rights and
	responsibilities with respect to group health plans and health
	insurance coverages;
	(4)  provide existing health-related information to
	the general public and health care providers to improve the quality
	of and access to health care; and
	(5)  establish an advisory committee composed of state
	agencies to increase collaboration and coordination of
	health-related programs and benefits.
	(d)  The department shall coordinate program components that
	involve market and cost research or data collection and analysis
	with health benefit plan issuers and the Health and Human Services
	Commission to ensure the collection and analysis of complete and
	accurate information.
	Sec. 525.003.  REPORT. The department shall include in its
	biennial report to the legislature under Section 32.022 the
	program's findings concerning the information and recommendations
	described by Section 525.002.
	Sec. 525.004.  FUNDING.  The department may accept gifts,
	donations, and grants from the federal government or any private
	party, including a health benefit plan issuer or a foundation
	associated with a health benefit plan issuer, to assist with
	funding the program.  The department shall adopt rules governing
	acceptance of donations that are consistent with Chapter 575,
	Government Code.  Before adopting rules under this section, the
	department shall:
	(1)  submit the proposed rules to the Texas Ethics
	Commission for review; and
	(2)  consider that commission's recommendations
	regarding the proposed rules.
	Sec. 525.005.  RULES. The commissioner may adopt rules as
	necessary to implement this chapter.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2011.