H.B. No. 3305 aims to create a County Health Care Provider Participation Program in certain Texas counties without a hospital district, specifically targeting those with populations of one million or more and their bordering counties. The bill introduces Chapter 292F to the Health and Safety Code, defining terms such as "institutional health care provider," "paying provider," and "program." It allows counties to collect mandatory payments from institutional health care providers, which will be allocated to a local provider participation fund for purposes like funding Medicaid payments and covering administrative costs. The program is subject to a cap of six percent of the aggregate net patient revenue from hospital services provided by all paying providers in the county, and it is set to expire on December 31, 2030.

The bill outlines the responsibilities of the county commissioners court, including the need for a majority vote to authorize mandatory payments and the establishment of rules for program administration. It mandates public hearings for discussing payment amounts and their intended uses, ensuring transparency. Additionally, it sets a limit on administrative expenses from these payments to $150,000, prohibits passing these costs onto patients, and allows counties to charge a collection fee. The bill emphasizes that mandatory payments can only be collected if specific waiver programs or reimbursement enhancements are available, and it clarifies that the funds are not intended for general revenue. The act will take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 300.0155 (Health and Safety Code 300)
House Committee Report: (Health and Safety Code 300)
Engrossed: (Health and Safety Code 300)