1-1 By: Truan, Moncrief, Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 57 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed February 16, 1995; February 16, 1995, 1-3 read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human 1-4 Services; March 16, 1995, reported favorably by the following vote: 1-5 Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 16, 1995, sent to printer.) 1-6 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, In its report to the 74th Texas Legislature, the 1-8 Senate Health and Human Services Committee concluded that 1-9 significant benefits would accrue if a Medicaid managed care 1-10 program were established statewide; however, the committee also 1-11 found that special provision must be made for Federally Qualified 1-12 Health Centers in any managed care system; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Federally Qualified Health Centers are 1-14 not-for-profit or public entities, including Community Health 1-15 Centers, Migrant Health Centers, and Health Care for the Homeless 1-16 Projects, that are important providers for Medicaid clients and the 1-17 uninsured who may not be able to arrange care elsewhere, who desire 1-18 culturally appropriate or bilingual services, or who want the 1-19 convenience of receiving care in a neighborhood clinic; and 1-20 WHEREAS, While providing a valuable service to this 1-21 population, Federally Qualified Health Centers may nonetheless 1-22 encounter difficulties when competing in a managed care environment 1-23 because the cost of providing care to this population tends to be 1-24 higher than for other groups and because these health centers have 1-25 no reserves and no private patients to whom they can shift costs 1-26 that exceed the capitated rate paid by the state; and 1-27 WHEREAS, Federally Qualified Health Centers officials are 1-28 concerned that their facilities would be excluded from provider 1-29 networks under Medicaid managed care systems unless specific 1-30 provisions require that they be included; and 1-31 WHEREAS, Federally Qualified Health Centers also need time to 1-32 develop more cost-effective methods of care so as to compete 1-33 successfully in a system based on capitated rates rather than 1-34 cost-based reimbursement; now, therefore, be it 1-35 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-36 hereby direct the State Medicaid Office to ensure that in no case 1-37 shall a federal waiver application attempt to waive current 1-38 requirements that services provided by Federally Qualified Health 1-39 Centers are mandatory; and, be it further 1-40 RESOLVED, That federal requirements stipulating that 1-41 Federally Qualified Health Centers receive cost-based 1-42 reimbursements not be waived for the first three years of any new 1-43 waiver; and, be it further 1-44 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 1-45 copy of this resolution to the State Medicaid Office. 1-46 * * * * *