HBA-NRS H.B. 1537 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1537
By: Coleman
Public Health
3/1/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., examined methods
for obtaining portability of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance
Program coverage for migrant children. Based on preliminary research, it is
believed that a migrant care network model can be developed to improve
health coverage access and continuity of care, and to promote outreach and
education for migrant children. House Bill 1537 requires the Health and
Human Services Commission to contract with existing networks of health care
providers located in Texas and in other states to establish a migrant care
network. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1537 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (commission) to contract with one or more existing
networks of health care providers located in this state and in other states
to establish a migrant care network to provide health care services to
children of migrant or seasonal agricultural workers who are recipients of
medical assistance. In establishing the migrant care network, the bill
requires the commission to consider migrant work patterns to determine in
which states the network is most needed to adequately provide the medical
assistance. The bill requires the commission to ensure that medical
assistance provided outside of this state through the migrant care network
is provided in the same manner and to the same extent as that assistance
would be provided in this state. The bill requires the commission to
establish the migrant care network not later than January 1, 2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.