House health committee approves nine measures on tele-mental health, endometriosis care and provider disputes

The Commission of Health of the House of Representatives met June 18, 2024, and voted to approve nine measures in a final-consideration session. The measures included a tele-mental health law, requirements for public reporting on hospital performance, protections and services for people with autism spectrum disorders, establishment of a dental examining board, amendments related to endometriosis care, changes to the Health Insurance Administration statute to expand provider contracting, an expedited procedure for resolving provider payment disputes, strengthened patient access to health records and a joint resolution instructing the Department of Health to adopt a uniform protocol for bleeding-disorder care.

The session was opened by the commission Presidenta (unidentified) and technical staff assisted by Edwin Figueroa Medina, the commission’s director ejecutivo, who confirmed circulation of the Senate- and House-approved texts with the commission technical team’s recommended amendments and repeatedly stated that “no hay enmiendas adicionales recibidas” for each measure. The Presidenta summarized each measure on the record before the committee proceeded to a final roll-call-style vote.

Most measures passed with eight votes in favor, zero opposed and one abstention. The measure that would amend laws related to endometriosis care was recorded as receiving seven votes in favor, zero opposed and two abstentions. The director ejecutivo read the tallies aloud for each item before the Presidenta requested preparation of a session certification and the approved texts for signature and filing "tal cual fueron aprobados en esta sesión," as required by the rules of the House of Representatives.

Measures approved and brief descriptions: - Cámara 1936: Establishes provisions for mental and behavioral telehealth (described on the record as "la Ley de Telesalud mental y del comportamiento"). Vote: 8–0–1 in favor (yes–no–abstain). - Senado 272: Directs the Department of Health to provide free, public information on hospital performance. Vote: 8–0–1. - Senado 1131: Creates protections and services for people with autism spectrum disorders. Vote: 8–0–1. - Senado 1136: Establishes a dental examining board and a subboard for hygienists, assistants and technologists. Vote: 8–0–1. - Senado 1204: Amends several laws relating to care for patients with endometriosis; the transcript records this measure as recommended without enmiendas but shows a final tally of 7–0–2 (two abstentions). - Senado 1314: Amends Article Nine of the Health Insurance Administration to require insurers to contract directly with mental-health providers and hospitals. Vote: 8–0–1. - Senado 1349: Amends the health insurance code to establish an expedited dispute-resolution procedure for provider payment controversies. Vote: 8–0–1. - Senado 1398: Amends "la ley ciento noventa y cuatro del dos mil, según enmendada," to safeguard patient access to information in health records and recognize the right to request intervention by the Office of the Patient’s Advocate. Vote: 8–0–1. - Joint Resolution Senado 299: Orders the Department of Health to establish a uniform protocol for care of patients with bleeding disorders and hemorrhagic conditions. Vote: 8–0–1.

The committee recorded that the quorum required for the final votes was present (the director ejecutivo referenced the quorum minimum of nine representatives). After announcing results, the Presidenta instructed the director ejecutivo to prepare certification of the session and the approved texts for signature and onward processing under the House rules. With no further matters, the commission adjourned at approximately 11:32 a.m.

Speakers quoted or on the record include the Presidenta (unidentified) and Edwin Figueroa Medina, director ejecutivo of the Commission of Health; the director repeatedly stated on the record that "no hay enmiendas adicionales recibidas." The transcript contains no recorded debate, formal amendments or motions that changed the measures; discussion on each item was limited to summary presentation and the circulation/readings of amended texts.