Relating to the establishment of the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program; authorizing a fee.

SB 818 establishes the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program to evaluate new legislative proposals that would require health insurers or administrators to cover specific services, adjust payments to providers, or implement new administrative rules. The program, run by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, analyzes these proposals before they become law. Legislative leaders (like the lieutenant governor or committee chairs) can request these analyses for bills affecting health benefit plans, including Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill directly affects health insurers, providers, and enrollees by requiring upfront assessment of financial and coverage impacts before new mandates take effect. It does not create new coverage requirements but provides a structured review process for existing legislative proposals.