BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 73

By: Miles

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Local public health entities are a vital part of the health care delivery system in many communities and should continue to play an integral role in improving access to health care for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. S.B. 73 seeks to ease barriers to the participation of local health departments and certain health service regional offices in the state Medicaid program by requiring the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to establish a separate provider type for local public health entities for purposes of enrollment as a provider for and reimbursement under Medicaid.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 73 amends the Human Resources Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a separate provider type for a local public health entity, including a health service regional office acting in the capacity of a local public health entity, for purposes of enrollment as a provider for and reimbursement under the state Medicaid program. The bill defines, among other terms, "local public health entity" as a local health unit, a local health department, and a public health district. Implementation of a provision of the bill by HHSC and the Department of State Health Services is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2022.