Texas Legislature’s 2019 Session: Pro-Consumer Health Care Bills


The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die on May 27, 2019, and the governor’s veto period ended June 16, 2019. Now that the dust has settled, it is clear that the Texas Legislature passed more pro-consumer health care bills than in recent memory. For the most part, stakeholders from across the health care industry worked together alongside legislators to give consumers some major victories. This GT Alert provides a recap of the major pro-consumer health care bills signed into law from Texas’ 86th legislative session.

Ending Surprise Medical Bills and Their Negative Impact on Consumers

SB 1264 by Sen. Hancock and Rep. Oliverson (effective 9/1/2019)

SB 1037 by Sen. Taylor and Rep. Lucio (effective since 5/31/19)

Transparency of Freestanding Emergency Rooms in Texas

HB 2041 by Rep. Oliverson and Sen. Taylor (effective 9/1/2019)

HB 1941 by Rep. Phelan and Sen. Watson (effective 9/1/2019)

HB 1112 by Rep. Sarah Davis and Sen. Kolkhorst (effective 9/1/2019)

Drug Price Transparency for High-Cost Pharmaceuticals

HB 2536 by Rep. Oliverson and Sen. Hancock (effective 9/1/2019)

Many bills were filed in Texas’ 2019 legislative session involving health care, and specifically focused on consumer protection. The summaries above represent the most significant of the bills that actually passed and were signed in to law, but there are additional bills that passed and became law that we are happy to provide information on if interested. Some bills that didnot pass this session may become the subject of interim studies, to be discussed before the Texas Legislature meets again in January 2021. Please reach out if there is something you are interested in following.


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National Law Review, Volume IX, Number 241