HBA-MSH H.B. 3385 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3385
By: Kitchen
Public Health
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 76th Legislature placed a moratorium on the implementation of new
Medicaid managed care pilot programs and Medicaid behavioral health pilot
programs.  The moratorium is set to expire July 1, 2001. The Medicaid Star
+ Plus pilot project is designed to integrate delivery of acute and
long-term care services through a managed care system. The project
currently serves approximately 55,000 elderly and disabled Medicaid
recipients in Harris County.  The goal of Star + Plus programs is to
support individuals in the community and reduce reliance on more expensive
hospital and institutional care.  House Bill 3385 ends the moratorium on
implementation of the Medicaid managed care pilot programs and requires
HHSC to implement a Medicaid Star + Plus pilot project at least in two
regions. 

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 3385 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (HHSC) to implement Medicaid Star + Plus pilot programs
in at least two regions in which HHSC is currently operating a Medicaid
managed care pilot program.  The bill removes provisions that prohibit the
implementation of certain Medicaid managed care pilot programs and Medicaid
behavioral health pilot programs until July 1, 2001. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.