Today Senate Bill 425, proposed by Sen. Charles Schwertner, was voted out of the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.

The bill, which regulates freestanding emergency centers (FECs) in an effort to increase medical billing transparency, was initially met with opposition at its first committee hearing. TAFEC members Rhonda Sandel, Michael Sarabia, and John McGee testified against the bill – opposing the mandatory mediation requirements that unfairly targeted FEC facilities. To see the testimony from Rhonda and John, visit the TAFEC blog.

The initial hearing was largely productive, and many senators, including Chairman Eltife and Vice-Chairman Creighton, recognized the value that FECs provide in the overall picture of emergency care.

“You have a great model that is working, and the consumers are demanding more of it,” said Sen. Kevin Eltife. “I would fight like hell if you tried to close these guys down because the consumers love it, and they are providing a great service.”

Following last week’s hearing, Sen. Schwertner issued another committee substitute for Senate Bill 425. Most notably, the proposed revisions removed all mediation language from the bill, meaning FECs will not be subject to the previous mediation mandates.

Additionally, the phrase “not an urgent care center” has been deleted from all FEC posting notices. The new version of the bill also specifies that FEC posting notices be in legible print on a sheet of paper not smaller than 8.5 x 11in.

TAFEC is still working with the authors of Senate Bill 425 as it makes its way to the Senate floor. We want to thank Sen. Schwertner and his staff for their collaborative efforts in working with TAFEC to advance the FEC industry.