SRC-JBJ C.S.H.B. 143 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 143
By: Thompson (West)
Health Services
5/14/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Medicaid residents in nursing homes have an allowance of $30 a
month for all personal needs.  The amount has not been increased since
1983.  C.S.H.B. 143 would set the personal needs allowance for Medicaid
residents in nursing homes at $60 per month. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 143 sets the personal needs allowance for Medicaid
residents in nursing homes at $60 per month. 

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 (v), to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
to set a personal needs allowance of not less than $60 a month for a person
who receives medical assistance and resides in a licensed convalescent home
or other similar long-term care facility.  Authorizes the HHSC to send the
allowance directly to a resident who receives Supplemental Security Income.
Provides that this subsection does not apply to a resident participating in
a medical assistance waiver program administered by HHSC. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date:  September 1, 1999.  Makes the application
of this Act prospective. 

(b) Requires HHSC or the Texas Department of Human Services (department) to
implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically
for that purpose.  Authorizes HHSC or the department to implement this Act
of such appropriation is not made. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.