House Committee on Insurance - 83rd R.S. (2013)
Committee Members
Charges
- Monitor the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the availability and affordability of private health insurance coverage in Texas and on the health insurance market.
- Evaluate options to expand transparency in the health care marketplace and facilitate informed consumer choice. Monitor the implementation of prior legislation to encourage transparency and adequacy of health care provider networks. Review prior legislative attempts to achieve greater transparency and the effectiveness of regulatory efforts to minimize the negative impacts on consumers related to out-of-network service disputes.
- Monitor the status of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Consider options to enhance TWIA's ability to serve its statutory purpose and to fairly and equitably serve its policyholders. Include an evaluation of TWIA's operations, improved incentives for coverage by the private market, and effective use of reinsurance, bonds, and other financial devices.
- Examine opportunities to improve the resiliency of the Texas coast to withstand tropical storms. Study strategies to incentivize and encourage hazard mitigation, and consider the current state of building codes and how they might more effectively protect property and reduce losses. Examine the proper role of insurance in protecting the Texas coast. Coordinate as necessary with the joint interim committee created by HB 3459 83rd R.S.. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Land and Resource Management)
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Examine the following aspects of the Texas auto insurance market:
• Methods to decrease the rate of uninsured drivers, including an evaluation of the success of current programs and possible improvements; and
• The benefits and drawbacks of prohibiting or restricting the use of "named driver" auto insurance policies.
- Make recommendations for any necessary reforms to address the long-term stability of the residual market for workers' compensation insurance in this state.
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Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
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