HBA-TBM, CCH H.B. 835 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 835
By: Kitchen
Public Health
7/16/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas has done a great deal of work to address its uninsured children
through CHIP, a program that provides health insurance coverage to children
under the age of 18 who are from working families with incomes too high to
qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private coverage.  However, many
lowincome families are often unable to obtain affordable, quality health
care.  Many parents of children who benefit from CHIP and Medicaid are not
eligible for the state-sponsored  health insurance themselves. Between
1996-1998, an average of more than three million Texans between 18 and 64
years of age were uninsured.  Low-income children are more likely to be
enrolled in state health insurance programs when coverage is offered to the
entire family rather than to children alone.  House Bill 835 requires the
Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study to determine the
feasibility of a buy-in option to allow families without access to health
benefits coverage to purchase coverage for all family members under CHIP. 

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 835 requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to
conduct a study to determine the feasibility of a buy-in option to allow
families without access to health benefits coverage to purchase coverage
for all family members under CHIP.  The bill requires HHSC to examine the
cost of comparable health benefits in the current market and the buy-in
option's fiscal impact on the state and on families that would participate
in the plan.  The bill also requires HHSC to examine the need for a buy-in
option by determining the number of families likely to participate and
whether families that would participate in the plan could be covered in the
private market.  HHSC is required to examine the role of private insurance
agents in enrollment in the plan through the buy-in option, the possible
effects that a buy-in option to the plan would have on the private market
for health benefit plan coverage, the options for the system of delivery
for plan benefits, and the options for obtaining federal matching funds for
the program.  In conducting the study, HHSC is required to consult consumer
groups and issuers of health benefits plan coverage in the private market.
The bill authorizes the commission to consult other groups in conducting
the study and to consult with other agencies of this state to obtain
necessary data.  The bill requires HHSC to submit a written report of its
findings to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives no later than November 1, 2002.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.