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House Bill 2084 |
House Author: Muñoz, Jr. et al. |
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Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Hinojosa et al. |
House Bill 2084 amends the Government Code to establish measures for ensuring transparency of the premium payment rate-setting process for the Medicaid managed care program and the child health plan program by requiring the Health and Human Services Commission to publish actuarial reports containing specific information regarding the rate‑setting process.
Reason Given for Veto: "Managed care organizations (MCOs) are paid by the taxpayers to insure Texas's Medicaid population. The rate the State pays MCOs per Medicaid recipient is determined in large part by federal law, but there is substantial room for negotiation. Both the state and the MCOs conduct internal actuarial analyses that are critical to the rate-setting process.
"The Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) represents the taxpayer in rate negotiations with MCOs. House Bill 2084 would require HHSC to reveal the details of the internal actuarial analysis it uses when negotiating rates on behalf of the State. This would hamper HHSC's ability to negotiate for the best possible rate. Billions of dollars in taxpayer funds are at stake. Where there is room for negotiation, HHSC should have all available tools at its disposal to protect Texas taxpayers."