Bill Text: TX HB3781 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the creation of the Texas Health Improvement Network.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-19 - Effective immediately [HB3781 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3781-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Crownover H.B. No. 3781
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to creation of the Texas Health Improvement Network.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle H, Title 2, Health & Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 172 to read as follows:
         CHAPTER 172.  Texas Health Improvement Network
         Sec. 172.001.  PURPOSE.  (a)  The Texas Health Improvement
  Network (THIN) is established as a network of diverse health
  professionals dedicated to developing initiatives and translating
  research on population health into health policy and best practices
  to address urgent health challenges in Texas and the nation.
         (b)  The network shall achieve the following goals to improve
  the health system:
               (1)  reduce the per capita costs of health care;
               (2)  improve the individual experience of care
  (including quality and patient satisfaction); and
               (3)  improve the health of Texas.
         Sec. 172.002.  NETWORK.  (a)  The network consists of
  participating faculty at public and private Texas institutions of
  higher education, in addition to participating state and
  local
  health agencies.  Participating faculty must include faculty of
  both general academic and health-related institutions.
         (b)  The network shall seek to include faculty that
  represents not only the traditional public health and medical
  fields, but also expertise on mental health, nursing, pharmacy,
  social work, health economics, health policy and law, epidemiology,
  biostatistics, health informatics, health services research,
  engineering and computer science.
         (c)  The network shall focus on evaluating and eliminating
  health disparities in Texas, including the racial or ethnic,
  geographic, and income- or education-related disparities.
         (d)  The network shall also focus on healthcare
  cost-containment and the economic analysis of health policy.
         Sec. 172.003.  ADVISORY COUNCIL.  An advisory council shall
  be established for the network that includes both Texas and
  national thought leaders in population health.  The advisory
  council must include expertise in traditional public health and
  medical fields, as well as leaders in the fields of behavior health,
  business, insurance, philanthropy, education, health law, and
  policy.
         Sec. 172.004.  PROJECTS.  (a)  From funds appropriated for
  purposes of the network, the network shall fund demonstration and
  pilot projects using an established, peer-reviewed award process.
         (b)  The network shall fund internships and other
  educational programs to prepare population health care workforce.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  the 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.
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