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.