Protecting the Availability of Hospital Emergency Care is Subject of Texas House Hearing

Texas Hospitals Support Clarification of State Law

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(AUSTIN, Texas – March 25, 2019) Ensuring that Texas hospitals receive fair reimbursement for health care services provided to a patient injured because of another’s fault or negligence is the subject of a hearing today in the Texas House Committee on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Cesar Lopez, J.D., associate general counsel at the Texas Hospital Association and Louis J. Bratton, J.D., attorney with The Bratton Firm, P.C. will testify before the committee in support of House Bill 2929 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano).

Consistent with long-standing state law and legislative intent, HB 2929 will clarify that hospitals can attach a lien to a financial settlement or judgment an injured patient receives from an at-fault party to recover the costs of health care provided, no matter where in the hospital the care is provided, including the emergency department and inpatient units.

“HB 2929 is common sense legislation,” said Ted Shaw, THA president/CEO. “The hospital emergency department is often the first place an accident victim gets treatment. Being able to secure reimbursement for the costs of care provided in that unit of the hospital, as well as any others, is common sense. We applaud the introduction of HB 2929 to preserve legislative intent and protect access to emergency hospital services for Texans across the state.”

These liens are limited in scope to costs incurred and apply only to the financial settlement or judgment an accident victim receives. They do not apply to the victim’s personal property, income or assets.

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About THA
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents 452 of the state’s non-federal general and specialty hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.