HB2655 - Relating to operation by certain nonprofit organizations of certain regional health care programs for employees of small employers.

      H.B. No. 2655         AN ACT   relating to operation by certain nonprofit organizations of certain   regional health care programs for employees of small employers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 75.051, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:           (c)     A community-based nonprofit organization may establish   or participate in a regional health care program under this   subchapter without the participation of the commissioners court of   a county if the program is a premium assistance program not offering   health care services or health care benefits.          SECTION 2.  Section 75.052(a), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  A regional health care program may be operated subject   to the direct governance of the commissioners courts of the   participating counties or, for a program operating under Section   75.051(c), a nonprofit organization .  A local health care program   may be operated subject to the direct governance of the   commissioners court of the participating county.  A regional or   local health care program may be operated by a joint council,   tax-exempt nonprofit entity, or other entity that:                (1)  operates the program under a contract with the   commissioners court or courts, as applicable; [ or ]                (2)  is an entity in which the county or counties   participate or that is established or designated by the   commissioners court or courts, as applicable, to operate the   program ; or                 (3)     for a program operating under Section 75.051(c),   is a participating nonprofit organization .          SECTION 3.  Section 75.101, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 75.101.  ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED; PROGRAM   OBJECTIVES.  In developing a regional or local health care program,   a governing body may provide health care services or benefits as   described by this subchapter or may develop another type of program   to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.  A regional or local   health care program must be developed, to the extent practicable,   to:                (1)  reduce the number of individuals without health   benefit plan coverage within the boundaries of the participating   county or counties or, for a program operating under Section   75.051(c), in a county in which a participating nonprofit   organization operates ;                (2)  address rising health care costs and reduce the   cost of health care services or health benefit plan coverage for   small employers and their employees within the boundaries of the   participating county or counties or, for a program operating under   Section 75.051(c), in a county in which a participating nonprofit   organization operates ;                (3)  promote preventive care and reduce the incidence   of preventable health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer,   and diabetes and low birth weight in infants;                (4)  promote efficient and collaborative delivery of   health care services;                (5)  serve as a model for the innovative use of health   information technology to promote efficient delivery of health care   services, reduce health care costs, and improve the health of the   community; and                (6)  provide fair payment rates for health care   providers.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2655 was passed by the House on May   16, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 127, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2655 was passed by the Senate on May   28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor