HEALTH & SAFETY CODE
CHAPTER 86. BREAST CANCER
SUBCHAPTER A. INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BREAST
CANCER
§ 86.001. PURPOSE. It is the intent of the legislature
that breast cancer patients have access to a standardized written
summary, as provided under this subchapter, of medically
efficacious and viable alternative treatments for breast cancer,
which may include surgical, radiological, or chemotherapeutic
treatment or combinations of those treatments.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 86.002. STANDARDIZED WRITTEN SUMMARY. (a) The
department shall publish a standardized written summary, in
language a patient can understand, of the advantages,
disadvantages, risks, and descriptions of all medically
efficacious and viable alternatives for the treatment of breast
cancer.
(b) The department shall update the summary annually, if
necessary, to reflect changes in the treatment of breast cancer.
(c) The advisory council shall develop the summary.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 86.003. ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) The advisory council
is appointed by the commissioner.
(b) The advisory council shall include at least one of each
of the following:
(1) a representative of a statewide nonprofit
organization that is an advocate for breast cancer patients;
(2) a representative of a statewide professional
organization representing the full spectrum of physicians;
(3) a physician associated with an institution of
higher education who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer;
and
(4) a representative of the Texas Cancer Council.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 86.004. DISTRIBUTION OF SUMMARY. (a) Not later than
the 90th day after the date the department receives the
standardized written summary from the advisory council, the
department shall print and make available to all physicians in the
state sufficient copies of the summary.
(b) A physician may distribute the summary to a patient when
the physician determines in the physician's professional judgment
that it is in the best interest of the patient to receive a copy of
the summary.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 86.005. FUNDING. (a) The department may not expend
general revenue funds for the publication or distribution of the
standardized written summary.
(b) The department may provide technical assistance to the
advisory council to aid in the development of the summary.
(c) The department may accept grants, donations of money or
materials, and other forms of assistance from private and public
sources to be used solely for the development and distribution of
the summary.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
SUBCHAPTER B. BREAST CANCER SCREENING
§ 86.011. BREAST CANCER SCREENING. (a) The Office of
Rural Community Affairs may provide for breast cancer screening in
counties with a population of 50,000 or less.
(b) The Office of Rural Community Affairs may provide the
breast cancer screening through contracts with public or private
entities to provide mobile units and on-site screening services.
(c) The Office of Rural Community Affairs shall coordinate
the breast cancer screening with programs administered by the Texas
Cancer Council.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1424, § 9, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
§ 86.012. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The board may
appoint an advisory committee to advise the Office of Rural Health
Care on the breast cancer screening, including targeting those
areas of the state in which the screening is most needed.
(b) The advisory committee may be composed of:
(1) physicians who practice in rural areas;
(2) administrators of hospitals in rural areas; and
(3) representatives of organizations formed to
promote breast cancer awareness.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
