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 introduced in Section 75.051, which now includes a subsection (c) detailing these conditions. Additionally, Section 75.052 is revised 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.

The bill further outlines the objectives of regional or local health care programs, emphasizing the need to reduce the number of uninsured individuals and address rising health care costs for small employers. It specifies that these programs should be developed to serve the needs of the counties where participating nonprofit organizations operate. The amendments aim to enhance the flexibility and governance of health care programs, ultimately improving access to health care services for small employers and their employees. 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)