H.B. No. 606
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the benefits of prenatal surgical procedures
  to treat birth defects.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) In this Act:
               (1)  "Birth defect" has the meaning assigned by Section
  87.001, Health and Safety Code.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
         (b)  The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate the
  benefits of prenatal surgical procedures to treat birth defects.
  The procedures studied must include:
               (1)  fetoscopic placental laser ablation;
               (2)  maternal-fetal surgery; and
               (3)  any other type of prenatal surgical procedure that
  is or becomes the standard of practice for treating a birth defect.
         (c)  The study must analyze:
               (1)  the difference in average total cost to the
  Medicaid program, private health benefit plan coverage, and
  individuals and other payors between conducting a prenatal surgical
  procedure and a postnatal procedure to treat a birth defect,
  including any continuing treatments needed after either procedure;
  and
               (2)  any improvement in survival rates, long-term
  outcomes, and quality of life for children with birth defects
  following a prenatal surgical procedure as compared to a postnatal
  procedure to treat a birth defect.
         (d)  Not later than December 1, 2016, the commission shall
  submit a written report on the results of the study to the governor,
  lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, House
  Committee on Public Health, and Senate Committee on Health and
  Human Services.
         (e)  This Act expires September 1, 2017.
         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, 2015.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 606 was passed by the House on April
  29, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 606 was passed by the Senate on May
  23, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor