Legislature Transfers Discount Health Care Card Program Texas Department of Insurance to Regulate Industry
Houston County Courier -  September 2009

AUSTIN- Beginning April 1, 2010, over two and a half million discount health care card carrying Texans will turn to the Texas Department of Insurance for information and assistance concerning discount health care card companies.
The 81st Texas Legislature passed House Bill 4341, which transfers the regulation of discount health care card operators from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to the Texas Department of Insurance. 
The transfer will be phased-in beginning Sept. 1 and completed April 1, 2010. 
Timelines for the transfer of specific responsibilities will be posted and updated on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s website.
Over 45 million Americans are uninsured and discount health care cards, although NOT health insurance, provide discounts on services through providers contracted with the discount health care card company.
Texas is one of 20 states that oversee discount health care card companies, also called discount medical plan organizations (DMPO) in the other states.
For information visit www.license.state.tx.us/dhcc.