Bill Text: TX SB2104 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a study on the feasibility of using the statewide system of health care data collection to create a public database of charges billed by health care providers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-02 - Left pending in committee [SB2104 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB2104-Introduced.html

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2017S0359-1 03/01/17
By: Uresti S.B. No. 2104

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the feasibility of using the statewide system
of health care data collection to create a public database of
charges billed by health care providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 108, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 108.0137 to read as follows:
Sec. 108.0137. STUDY REGARDING FEASIBILITY OF PUBLIC
DATABASE OF CHARGES. (a) In this section, "nonprofit health
corporation" means a health organization that is certified under
Section 162.001, Occupations Code, and that holds a certificate of
authority issued by the commissioner of insurance under Chapter
844, Insurance Code.
(b) The department shall conduct a study to determine the
feasibility of creating a public database of charges billed by
providers.
(c) The database described by Subsection (b) would allow
patients, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health
corporations to determine charges billed according to each zip code
in the state.
(d) In conducting the study required by this section, the
department shall consult with the Department of Information
Resources.
(e) Not later than December 1, 2018, the department shall
report the results of the study required by this section to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the
senate and the house of representatives.
(f) This section expires January 1, 2019.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.