H.B. No. 2655 amends the Health and Safety Code to allow community-based nonprofit organizations to establish or participate in regional health care programs for small employers without needing the participation of a county's commissioners court, provided that the program is a premium assistance program that does not offer health care services or benefits. This new provision is added as Subsection (c) to Section 75.051. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 75.052(a) to clarify that a regional health care program can be governed by either the commissioners courts of participating counties or a nonprofit organization for programs operating under the new subsection.

Furthermore, the bill updates Section 75.101 to emphasize that regional or local health care programs should aim to reduce the number of uninsured individuals and address rising health care costs, specifically in counties where participating nonprofit organizations operate. The bill outlines various objectives for these programs, including promoting preventive care and efficient delivery of health services. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 75.051, Health and Safety Code 75.052, Health and Safety Code 75.101 (Health and Safety Code 75)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 75.051, Health and Safety Code 75.052, Health and Safety Code 75.101 (Health and Safety Code 75)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 75.051, Health and Safety Code 75.052, Health and Safety Code 75.101 (Health and Safety Code 75)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 75.051, Health and Safety Code 75.052, Health and Safety Code 75.101 (Health and Safety Code 75)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 75.051, Health and Safety Code 75.052, Health and Safety Code 75.101 (Health and Safety Code 75)