HB2299 - Relating to a community health clinic grant program.

  89R8674 LRM-D     By: Lalani H.B. No. 2299       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a community health clinic grant program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 64, Health and Safety Code, is amended by   designating Section 64.001 as Subchapter A and adding a subchapter   heading to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER A.   TEACHING HOSPITAL ACCOUNT          SECTION 2.  Chapter 64, Health and Safety Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter B to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER B.   COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC GRANT PROGRAM           Sec. 64.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Community health clinic" means a   community-driven, nonprofit health clinic located in a medically   underserved area or serving populations that are medically   underserved.   The term includes a community health center and a   federally qualified health center, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section   1396d(l)(2)(B).                 (2)     "Grant program" means the community health clinic   grant program established under this subchapter.           Sec.   64.052.     ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT   PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish and   the commission shall administer a community health clinic grant   program to increase access to health care, improve health outcomes,   reduce health disparities, and achieve health equity in medically   underserved areas of this state by:                 (1)     improving the provision of preventative care,   screening, and treatment for chronic health conditions, including   diabetes, hypertension, and obesity; and                 (2)     strengthening the availability and capacity of   community health clinics to provide affordable, high-quality   health care services to medically underserved individuals.           Sec.   64.053.     APPLICATION. A community health clinic may   apply to the commission to receive money under the grant program if   the clinic:                 (1)     is located in a county with a population of 800,000   or more, adjacent to a county with a population of 4 million or   more; and                 (2)  either:                       (A)     operates in a medically underserved area of   the county; or                       (B)     serves a medically underserved population in   the county.           Sec.   64.054.     AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) The executive   commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility criteria and a   scoring system for the commission to award grants under the grant   program.           (b)     The commission may award grants under the grant program   to eligible applicants.           Sec.   64.055.     USE OF GRANT MONEY. A grant recipient may use   money awarded under the grant program only for the purposes   described by Section 64.052.   The executive commissioner shall   adopt rules governing the use of money awarded under the grant   program.           Sec.   64.056.     FUNDING. (a) The commission shall award   grants as provided by this subchapter using money appropriated to   the commission for that purpose.           (b)     Out of money appropriated to the commission that is   available for the purpose, the commission shall allocate $200   million each fiscal biennium to award grants under this subchapter.           Sec.   64.057.     RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt   rules necessary to implement and administer this subchapter.          SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter B, Chapter 64,   Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.