TAFEC Legislative Update: Senate Bill 425/HB 3475

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UPDATE: Yesterday, the Texas House of Representatives passed SB 425 on its third reading with a vote of 138-5. SB 425 will now go back to the Senate for final approval of the new website posting requirement, and then on to Governor Abbott for final approval before being signed into law.

On Monday, the Texas House voted on SB 425. Fortunately, the specific language TAFEC fought to have removed remains out of the bill, including mediation, posting of facility fees, arbitration, listing of individual physicians, network status, or any other language that could have a negative impact on delivering quality emergency care to patients in Texas.

The House added an amendment requiring FEC company websites to include the same disclosure information that will be posted inside the facilities. If the bill passes on third reading this week, the substantially amended SB 425 will go back to the Senate for final approval, and then on to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

If the bill is signed into law, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will eventually go through the rule-making process later this fall. TAFEC will work closely with the DSHS in providing direction on how the rules will be implemented. The requirements provided by SB 425 will go into effect January 1, 2016.

The 84th Texas Legislature is not complete, however, as we have three weeks remaining until Sine Die. For the rest of session, TAFEC will continue to monitor other emergency care related bills and any additional legislation that might impact the FEC industry.

We want to thank Representative Greg Bonnen, MD and Senator Schwertner, MD for working with TAFEC in making a number of requested changes. In the most recent committee hearing, Dr. Bonnen explained to the members the benefits that FECs provide, highlighted their high patient satisfaction rates, and noted how confusion within the industry does not rest solely on FEC facilities, rather multiple parties in the health care system. We appreciate their dedication to increasing transparency and their recognition of FECs as a viable option for emergency health care.

 

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