HB1310 - Relating to an annual report on the costs to this state and political subdivisions of providing health care services to foreign patients.

      By: Hickland H.B. No. 1310       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an annual report on the costs to this state and   political subdivisions of providing health care services to foreign   patients.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 525, Government Code, as   effective April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Section 525.0304 to   read as follows:           Sec.   525.0304.     ANNUAL REPORT ON COSTS OF PROVIDING HEALTH   CARE SERVICES TO FOREIGN PATIENTS. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Emergency care" has the meaning assigned by   Section 1301.155, Insurance Code.                 (2)     "Political subdivision" includes a municipality,   county, and hospital district in this state.           (b)     The commission shall quarterly collect information on   the costs incurred by this state and political subdivisions for   providing at public hospitals inpatient health care services and   emergency care to uninsured patients who are not citizens or lawful   permanent residents of the United States.           (c)     A public hospital providing inpatient health care   services or emergency care to a patient described by Subsection (b)   shall inform the patient that:                 (1)     the hospital must provide to the commission the   information described by Subsection (b); and                 (2)     the provision of the information does not affect   or limit the hospital's duty to provide the patient care under   federal law.           (d)     Not later than January 1 of each year, the commission   shall submit to the governor and the legislature a written report   outlining the costs incurred by this state and political   subdivisions for providing inpatient health care services and   emergency care to patients described by Subsection (b), including   any recommendations regarding options available for this state to   seek reimbursement for those costs from the federal government.           (e)     The executive commissioner shall adopt any rules   necessary to implement this section.          SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than October 1, 2025, the   executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission   shall adopt any necessary rules as required by Section 525.0304,   Government Code, as added by this Act.          (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall:                (1)  begin collecting the information required by   Section 525.0304, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later   than November 1, 2025; and                (2)  submit the first report required by Section   525.0304, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than   January 1, 2027.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.