By: Kolkhorst, Walle, et al. H.B. No. 1983
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain childbirths occurring before the 39th week of
  gestation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 32.0313 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.0313.  INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS
  BEFORE 39TH WEEK. (a)  The department shall achieve cost savings
  with improved outcomes by adopting and implementing quality
  initiatives that are evidence-based, tested, and fully consistent
  with established standards of clinical care and that are designed
  to reduce the number of elective or nonmedically indicated induced
  deliveries or cesarean sections performed at a hospital on a
  medical assistance recipient before the 39th week of gestation.
         (b)  The department shall coordinate with physicians,
  hospitals, managed care organizations, and the department's
  billing contractor for the medical assistance program to develop a
  process for collecting information regarding the number of induced
  deliveries and cesarean sections described by Subsection (a) that
  occur during prescribed periods.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 241.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 241.007.  INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS
  BEFORE 39TH WEEK. A hospital that provides obstetrical services
  shall collaborate with physicians providing services at the
  hospital to develop quality initiatives to reduce the number of
  elective or nonmedically indicated induced deliveries or cesarean
  sections performed at the hospital on a woman before the 39th week
  of gestation.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission
  shall conduct a study to assess the effects of the quality
  initiatives adopted under Section 32.0313, Human Resources Code, as
  added by this Act, and Section 241.007, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act, on infant health and frequency of infant
  admissions to neonatal intensive care units and hospital
  readmissions for mothers and infants.
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2012, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall submit a written report containing the
  findings of the study conducted under this section together with
  the commission's recommendations to the standing committees of the
  senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction
  over public health.
         SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.