BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2698
                                         By: McDonald (Zaffirini)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                         05-17-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Long-term care services for distinct categories of clients are
provided through several health and human services agencies.  Each
agency defines its mission and goals independently and operates
without coordinating policy statements or visions.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2698 establishes a vision statement and guiding
principles for long-term care services, formalizing state policies
for integration of various systems of long-term care services.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 4413(502), V.T.C.S., by adding Section
10A, as follows:

     Sec. 10A.  LONG-TERM CARE VISION.  (a) Requires the
     commissioner of health and human services (commissioner), in
     conjunction with the appropriate state agencies, to develop a
     plan for access to individualized long-term care services for
     persons with functional limitations or medical needs and their
     families that assists them in achieving and maintaining the
     greatest possible independence, autonomy, and quality of life.
     
     (b) Sets forth requirements for the guiding principles and
       goals of the plan focusing on the individual and the
       individual's family.
       
       (c) Sets forth requirements for the guiding principals and
       goals of the long-term care plan focusing on services and
       delivery of those services by the state.
       
       (d) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to
       coordinate state services to ensure that the roles and
       responsibilities of the agencies providing long-term care
       are clarified and that duplication of services and resources
       is minimized.
       
       (e) Defines "long-term care."
       
       SECTION 2.   Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.