1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a study of binational health care plan coverage.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.  (a)  The legislature finds
 1-5     that it is in the best interest of the state to find a
 1-6     cost-effective manner of delivering health care services through
 1-7     affordable health care plans to citizens residing on both sides of
 1-8     the Texas-Mexico border.
 1-9           (b)  The legislature further finds that the provision of
1-10     health care coverage in the border area is not conducive to
1-11     preventive care or prenatal care, or to the provision of a medical
1-12     home for binational families. 
1-13           SECTION 2.  INTERIM COMMITTEE.  (a)  An interim committee is
1-14     established to study the provision of binational health benefit
1-15     plan coverage. The interim committee is composed of seven members
1-16     as follows:
1-17                 (1)  the commissioner of insurance;
1-18                 (2)  the commissioner of health and human services;
1-19                 (3)  one member of the Texas House of Representatives
1-20     from a border community, appointed by the speaker of the house;
1-21                 (4)  one member of the Texas Senate from a border
1-22     community, appointed by the lieutenant governor;
1-23                 (5)  one member who represents health maintenance
1-24     organizations, appointed by the governor;
 2-1                 (6)  one member who represents hospitals, appointed by
 2-2     the governor; and
 2-3                 (7)  one member who is a medical practitioner,
 2-4     appointed by the governor.
 2-5           (b)  The committee members shall be appointed not later than
 2-6     August 1, 2001.  The members of the house and senate who serve on
 2-7     the committee shall act as joint presiding officers of the
 2-8     committee.
 2-9           SECTION 3.  COMMITTEE DUTIES.  The interim committee
2-10     appointed under this Act shall hold hearings in the border areas of
2-11     the state to:
2-12                 (1)  determine the need for binational health benefit
2-13     plan coverage;
2-14                 (2)  assess the health care needs of the border area
2-15     and how those needs can be served by various types of providers;
2-16     and
2-17                 (3)  assess the affordability, cost-effectiveness,
2-18     economic impact, and improved health status achievable through
2-19     binational health benefit plan coverage.
2-20           SECTION 4.  COMMITTEE REPORT.  Not later than October 1,
2-21     2002, the interim committee appointed under this Act shall issue a
2-22     report of findings and recommendations for administrative action
2-23     and legislation during [][]the next session of the legislature.  The
2-24     report shall be filed with the governor, lieutenant governor, and
2-25     the speaker of the house of representatives.
2-26           SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires December 31, 2002.
2-27           SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
 3-1     immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
 3-2     elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III,
 3-3     Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote
 3-4     necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1,
 3-5     2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2498 was passed by the House on
         May 4, 2001, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
         Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2498 on May 25, 2001, by a non-record
         vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2498 was passed by the Senate, with
         amendments, on May 22, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor