2017S0359-1 03/01/17     By: Uresti S.B. No. 2104     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on the feasibility of using the statewide system   of health care data collection to create a public database of   charges billed by health care providers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 108, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Section 108.0137 to read as follows:          Sec. 108.0137.  STUDY REGARDING FEASIBILITY OF PUBLIC   DATABASE OF CHARGES. (a)  In this section, "nonprofit health   corporation" means a health organization that is certified under   Section 162.001, Occupations Code, and that holds a certificate of   authority issued by the commissioner of insurance under Chapter   844, Insurance Code.          (b)  The department shall conduct a study to determine the   feasibility of creating a public database of charges billed by   providers.          (c)  The database described by Subsection (b) would allow   patients, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health   corporations to determine charges billed according to each zip code   in the state.          (d)  In conducting the study required by this section, the   department shall consult with the Department of Information   Resources.          (e)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the department shall   report the results of the study required by this section to the   governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of   representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the   senate and the house of representatives.          (f)  This section expires January 1, 2019.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.