JKC H.B. 460 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS HUMAN SERVICES H.B. 460 By: Maxey 03-24-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Support for consolidation of existing long-term care waivers has been growing for several years. In 1994, the Long-Term Care Task Force Report recommended a review and consideration of waivers. During the 1996 House Human Services Committee's interim hearings on long-term care, advocacy groups urged the committee to re-examine consolidation. In December 1996, Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) staff members met with consumers and stated that there was no prohibition on waiver consolidations. In fact, many states are seriously considering such an option in order to minimize administrative duplication, maximize the services provided, and to provide flexibility for each state in determining the appropriate services for each individual based upon that individual's needs. The passage of HB 460 will not directly result in the consolidation of waivers; it merely calls for the Health and Human Services Commission to complete a report on the feasibility of consolidation. The legislation does not modify any existing funding that is appropriated for waivers, nor will it have any impact on appropriated amounts during the 1998-99 biennium. PURPOSE HB 460 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to report to the Legislature, by January 15, 1999, on the "feasibility and advisability" of replacing all or several long-term care Medicaid waivers with a single waiver. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1.Requires the Health and Human Services Commissioner to report to the Legislature by January 15, 1999 on the feasibility and advisability of replacing all or several of the Medicaid long-term care waivers with a single waiver. The report must consider the waivers or authorizations obtained for the following: (1)community-based alternatives program administered by the Texas Department of Human Services; (2)community living assistance support and services program administered by the Texas Department of Human Services; (3)home and community services program under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), PL 100-203, Nursing Home Reform Amendments of 1987, administered by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; (4)deaf and blind services program administered by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; and (5)medically dependent children program administered by the Texas Department of Health. SECTION 2. Emergency clause.