HB 2655

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
(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
(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
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,
(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
(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
(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
(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
(6)  provide fair payment rates for health care
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.