84R1010 KJE-D
	By: Davis of Harris	H.B. No. 606

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	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.