BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 12

By: Rose

Health Care Reform, Select

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Over the last several years, policymakers, researchers, and the public have focused considerable attention on the number of maternal deaths and adverse health outcomes resulting from pregnancy and delivery in Texas. For example, the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and the Department of State Health Services jointly submitted a report in 2022 that found that 44% of maternal death cases reviewed occurring within one year of pregnancy were identified as pregnancy‑related and that there was a chance for preventability in 90% of the reviewed pregnancy-related deaths. Additionally, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission has recommended that Medicaid coverage be provided for 12 months postpartum, and the U.S. Congress enacted legislation in 2021 giving states the option to provide 12 months of coverage through a state Medicaid plan amendment. H.B. 12 seeks to provide for this 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage for women in Texas.

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

H.B. 12 amends the Human Resources Code to extend the duration of the Medicaid coverage provided for women following a pregnancy to 12 months. This coverage period begins on the last day of the woman's pregnancy and ends on the last day of the month in which the 12-month period ends. The bill requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to seek an amendment to the state's Medicaid state plan to implement the bill's provisions and authorizes HHSC to delay implementation of the bill's provisions until the amendment is approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.