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


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1537
By: Coleman
Public Health
5/15/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



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. C.S.H.B. 1537 requires the Health and Human
Services Commission to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of
contracting 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 rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Health and Human Services
Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 531.055, Government Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1537 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (commission) to conduct a study regarding the
feasibility of contracting 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 residents of this state and intend
to return to this state at the conclusion of temporary or seasonal
employment in another state and who are recipients of medical assistance or
enrollees in the child health plan or the health benefits plan. In
conducting the study, the bill requires the commission to consider migrant
work patterns, to examine the necessity and fiscal effect of entering into
interstate agreements, and to determine whether ensuring the provision of
health care services during the time in which a child is outside of Texas
is necessary to maintain continuity of care for children. The bill requires
the commission to develop and implement a pilot program if the commission
determines that the establishment of a migrant care network is feasible
based on the results of the study. The bill requires the commission to
report its findings and recommendations to the governor, lieutenant
governor, and appropriate committees of the house of representatives and
the senate regarding the establishment of a migrant care network. The bill
expires September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1537 modifies the original bill by requiring the Health and Human
Services Commission (commission) to conduct a study on the feasibility of
rather than contracting with one of more networks of health care providers
in actually establishing a migrant care network to provide health care
services to children of migrant or seasonal agricultural workers. The
substitute requires the commission to establish a pilot program if the
commission determines that the establishment of a migrant care network is
feasible  based on the results of the study. The substitute requires the
commission to report its findings and recommendations to specified state
officials.