Sec. 48.102. STUDY

(a) The department, in coordination with the commission, shall:

(1) study the desirability and feasibility of employing promotoras and community health workers to provide publicly and privately funded health care services in this state;

(2) explore methods of funding and reimbursing promotoras and community health workers for the provision of health care services and outline the costs to this state of the funding and reimbursement; and

(3) develop recommendations to:

(A) maximize the employment of and access to promotoras and community health workers; and

(B) expand the funding of and reimbursement for services provided by promotoras and community health workers.

(b) In conducting the study required by Subsection (a), the department shall consult:

(1) relevant national organizations engaged in the development of community health worker policy;

(2) the advisory committee; and

(3) other individuals or organizations the department considers necessary.

(c) In conducting the study required under Subsection (a), the department shall assess the impact of promotoras and community health workers on increasing the efficiency of, quality of, and access to health care services.

(d) On or before December 1, 2012, the department shall submit to the legislature a report regarding the findings of the study conducted under this section.

(e) This section expires December 31, 2012.

Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 537 , Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.