The bill, S.B. No. 331, amends the Health and Safety Code to enhance the disclosure of health care cost information by various health care facilities. It expands the definition of "facility" to include not only hospitals but also freestanding emergency medical care facilities, urgent care or retail clinics, outpatient clinics, birthing centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and other licensed health care service providers in Texas. Additionally, the bill removes the previous requirement that these facilities be licensed under Chapter 241, streamlining the definition to encompass a broader range of health care providers.

Furthermore, the bill allows the commission to impose administrative penalties on facilities that fail to respond to requests for corrective action plans or do not comply with the requirements of such plans. Health care facilities are mandated to disclose billing information in accordance with the updated chapter by August 31, 2029. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)