House Bill (H.B.) 3301, 86th Legislature, 2019, Regular Session, added Chapter 314A to the Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC). In H.B. 3301, the legislature found that a hospital merger may benefit the public by maintaining or improving the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health care services offered to the public; and these benefits may outweigh any anticompetitive effects of joining together competitors to address unique challenges in providing health care services in rural areas. HSC Chapter 314A permits qualifying hospitals in certain low-population counties to apply for a COPA, which grants merging hospitals immunity from federal and state antitrust laws. In addition to rulemaking, HSC Chapter 314A requires HHSC, as the agency designated by the governor under HSC Section 314A.004, to review and approve or deny COPA applications and to supervise the activities for which a COPA is issued.
Under HSC Section 314A.052(b), an applicant may submit two versions of the application: one version for HHSC’s use that is unredacted, and one version for public release that has proprietary information redacted. The applicant is solely responsible for any redactions made to the public version of a COPA document, which HHSC will post as received.
Texas Laws and Rules
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 314A
- Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 567, Certificate of Public Advantage
Eligible Counties
- Angelina
- Bowie
- Cherokee
- Colorado
- Taylor
- Tom Green
- Wichita
- Wood
Apply for a COPA
To apply for a COPA, applicants must submit a $75,000 application fee and all required information to HHSC. Applicants must also provide all application information to the Attorney General. For directions on how to apply for a COPA review the COPA Application Checklist (PDF).
Apply for a Rate Change
- Form 3253, Application for Inpatient and Outpatient Service Rate Change (DOCX)
- COPA Rate Change Application Supplemental Information Appendix B (Excel)
Approved COPAs
Shannon Health System- San Angelo, Texas (Tom Green County)
HHSC granted Shannon Health System a COPA on October 2, 2020. Below are the approval documents for the merger.
- Public Redacted Version of the Shannon COPA Application (PDF)
- Determination of Findings (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions (PDF)
- Approval Letter (PDF)
Public Comments Received on the Shannon Application
Baseline Reporting Information
- Transmittal Letter (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report Attachments (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report Data Template (Excel)
Fiscal Year 2021 Quarterly Reporting Information
- Q1 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q1 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q1 2021 Report Data Template (Excel)
- Q2 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q2 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q2 2021 Report Data Template (Excel)
- Q3 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q3 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q4 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q4 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2020-2021 (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2020-2021 Attachments (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2022 Quarterly Reporting Information
- Q1 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q1 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q2 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q2 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q3 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q3 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2021-2022 (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2021-2022 Attachments (PDF)
Note: HHSC permits COPA holders to submit two versions of a report: one version for HHSC’s use that is unredacted, and one version for public release that has proprietary information redacted. The COPA holder is solely responsible for any redactions made to the public version of a report, which HHSC will post as received.
Hendrick Health System- Abilene, Texas (Taylor County)
HHSC granted Hendrick Health System a COPA on October 2, 2020. Below are the approval documents for the merger.
- Public Redacted Version of the Hendrick COPA Application (PDF)
- Public Redacted Version of the Hendrick COPA Application Supplemental Information (PDF)
- Determination of Findings (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions (PDF)
- Approval Letter (PDF)
Public Comments Received on the Hendrick Application
Baseline Reporting Information
- Transmittal Letter (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report Attachments (PDF)
- Baseline Performance Report Data Template (Excel)
Fiscal Year 2021 Quarterly Reporting Information
- Q1 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q1 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q1 2021 Report Data Template (Excel)
- Q2 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q2 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q2 2021 Report Data Template (Excel)
- Q3 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q3 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q4 2021 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q4 2021 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2020-2021 (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2020-2021 Attachments (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2022 Quarterly Reporting Information
- Q1 2022 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q1 2022 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q2 2022 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q2 2022 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Q3 2022 Performance Report (PDF)
- Q3 2022 Report Attachments (PDF)
- Anniversary Report 2021-2022 (PDF)
Note: HHSC permits COPA holders to submit two versions of a report: one version for HHSC’s use that is unredacted, and one version for public release that has proprietary information redacted. The COPA holder is solely responsible for any redactions made to the public version of a report, which HHSC will post as received.
Complaints
For information on how to file a complaint, please visit our File a Complaint for a Health Facility webpage.
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TULIP Portal: https://txhhs.force.com/complaint/s/
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Complaint hotline: 888-973-0022
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Fax: 833-709-5735
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Mailing address:
Health and Human Services Commission
Complaint and Incident Intake
Mail Code E-249
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, Texas 78714-9030
Open Records Requests
Texas Health and Human Services is committed to providing full access to public information. For information on how to submit an open records request, please visit our Open Records Policy & Procedures webpage.
To request records under the Texas Public Information Act:
- Submit a request in writing via U.S. Mail, fax or email.
- Include your name, address or other contact information and a clear description of the records you are requesting.
- Send your request to:
- Email: OpenRecordsRequest@hhsc.state.tx.us
- Mailing Address:
HHSC Open Records Coordinator
MC-1070
4900 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78751-2316 - Fax: 512-424-6586
Contact Information
- Email: COPA@hhs.texas.gov
- Mailing Address for COPA Application Fees:
HHSC – ARTS
Mail Code 1470
P.O. Box 149055
Austin, Texas 78714-9055