SRC-CDH S.B. 871 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 871
By: West
Health & Human Services
3-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, federal statute allows Medicaid residents in nursing homes to
keep only $30 a month for their personal needs.  This legislation requires
the Health and Human Services Commission or an agency operating part of
the medical assistance program to set a personal needs allowance of not
less than $60 a month for a resident of a long-term care facility in an
attempt to better ensure the welfare of those residents.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 871 establishes the personal needs allowance for certain
Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (t), to require the Health and Human Services Commission or an
agency operating part of the medical assistance program (department) to
set a personal needs allowance of not less than $60 a month for a resident
of a convalescent or nursing home or related institution licensed under
Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code; personal care facility; ICF-MR
facility; or other similar long-term care facility who receives medical
assistance.  Authorizes the department to send the personal needs
allowance directly to a resident who receives Supplemental Security
Income.  Provides that this subsection does not apply to a resident who is
participating in a medical assistance waiver program administered by the
department.   

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.