HBA-DMH S.B. 101 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 101
By: Nelson
Public Health
5/15/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas does not require a Medicaid managed care recipient to pay
a copayment for treatment or services.  The Health and Human Services
Commission (commission) has reviewed this issue in the past, but has not
made any determination.  Senate Bill 101 requires the commission to
evaluate the feasibility of requiring Medicaid recipients to make nominal
copayments at the time that services are received and to make
recommendations to the legislature based on  that evaluation. 

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

Senate Bill 101 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (commission) to evaluate the feasibility of requiring
Medicaid recipients including recipients enrolled in a managed care plan,
to make nominal copayments at the time that services are received, as
authorized by federal law and to make recommendations to the legislature
based on  that evaluation. The bill requires the commission to submit the
recommendations not later than November 1, 2002.  These provisions expire
September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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