BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 171
87R1834 JG-D	By: Blanco
	Health & Human Services
	4/12/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It has been reported that Medicaid providers are reimbursed at a rate well below the cost of the services provided. There are concerns that this underpayment means that Texans who rely on Medicaid have less access to community-based health care services, which are less costly than hospitals and emergency departments, because community-based providers are typically less likely to cover the costs of uncompensated and undercompensated care.

S.B. 171 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to prepare and submit a written report regarding provider reimbursement rates and access to care in the Medicaid program to the legislature by December 1, 2022.

As proposed, S.B. 171 amends current law relating to a report regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates and access to care.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. (a) Defines "commission" in this section as the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

(b) Requires HHSC to prepare a written report regarding provider reimbursement rates and access to care under Medicaid. Requires HHSC to collaborate with the medical care advisory committee established under Section 32.022 (Medical and Hospital Care Advisory Committees), Human Resources Code, to develop and define the scope of the research for the report.� Requires that the report include certain information.

(c) Requires HHSC, not later than December 1, 2022, to prepare and submit to the legislature the report described by Subsection (b) of this section. Provides that, notwithstanding that subsection, HHSC is not required to include in the report any information HHSC determines is proprietary.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.