HBA-JEK, CCH C.S.H.C.R. 138 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.C.R. 138
By: Wohlgemuth
Public Health
4/23/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current federal law requires states to provide certain health care benefits
through Medicaid to qualify for federal matching funds.  Over the years,
Medicaid has changed from a narrowly-defined basic medical assistance
program into a conglomeration of agencies with a complex system of
eligibility requirements. Medicaid  appropriations now constitute almost
one-quarter of Texas' biennial budget in all funds, yet many Texans remain
without health insurance.  Federal Medicaid requirements leave states with
little flexibility to develop innovative methods of providing
cost-effective health care services to low-income elderly persons, persons
with disabilities, and children.  In 1996, the United States Congress
considered returning Medicaid funds to states as block grants.  Providing
Medicaid funds as a block grant with consideration for population growth
and demographics would offer Texas the flexibility needed to provide better
access to health care.  C.S.H.C.R. 138 requests the U.S. Congress to
provide Medicaid funds to Texas in the form of a block grant. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.C.R. 138 requests the United States Congress to provide Medicaid
funds to Texas in the form of a block grant. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.C.R. 138 differs from the original resolution by clarifying that
population growth, medical inflation, and expanded eligibility are the
reasons Medicaid has grown in Texas and providing that a block grant with
consideration for population growth and demographics would offer the state
increased flexibility  and the opportunity to provide better access to
quality health care.