TITLE 10.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Part 6. OFFICE OF RURAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Chapter 257. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR OFFICE OF RURAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Subchapter J. DESIGNATION OF A HOSPITAL AS A RURAL HOSPITAL

10 TAC §257.703, §257.705

The Office of Rural Community Affairs adopts the amendments to 10 TAC §257.703, concerning Definitions and §257.705, concerning Designation Criteria with changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12149).

The amendments to 10 TAC §257.703 and §257.705 are adopted to simplify and standardize the rules for designation of a hospital as rural.

No written comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted pursuant to §487.052 of the Government Code, which provides the Office of Rural Community Affairs with the authority to adopt rules to implement its statutory responsibilities.

The amendments affect the Government Code, Chapter 487.

§257.703.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Urban Hospital--A hospital located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as determined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget.

(2) Rural Hospital--A hospital that is not located in Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as determined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget or has been determined to meet the criteria established in §257.705 of this title.

§257.705.Designation Criteria.

(a) The hospital being considered must meet both of the criteria established in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The hospital must be located in:

(1) a county with a population density of less than 225 persons per square mile of land area; and

(2) a municipality of 10,000 persons or less.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 11, 2003.

TRD-200301674

Robt. J. "Sam" Tessen, MS

Executive Director

Office of Rural Community Affairs

Effective date: March 31, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 936-6710