SRC-JBJ H.B. 2304 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 2304
By: Coleman (Zaffirini)
Human Services
5/5/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, psychologists, social workers, and licensed professional
counselors are eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement through their
service in family counseling.  However, licensed marriage and family
therapists are not eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.  The Health and
Human Services Commission or an agency operating part of a medical
assistance program can ensure that a recipient of medical assistance is
authorized to select a licensed marriage and family therapist to perform
any health care service or procedure covered under the medical assistance
program if the selected therapist is authorized by law to perform the
service or procedure.   H.B. 2304 would require that a recipient of medical
assistance is authorized to select the therapist to perform a service or
procedure covered under the program. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2304 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to
assure that certain providers of family counseling services may qualify
under the medical assistance program. 

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 32.027(e), Human Resources Code, to require the
Health and Human Services Commission or any agency operating part of the
medical assistance program to assure that a recipient of medical assistance
is authorize to select a licensed marriage and family therapist to perform
any health care or procedure covered under the program if the selected
therapist is legally authorized to perform the service or procedure. 

SECTION 2.  Requires an agency affected by this Act and that requires a
waiver to request the waiver or authorization, and may delay
implementation, therefore, of the provision until the waiver or
authorization is granted. 

SECTION 3.Effective date: January 1, 2000.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 3.

 Changes the effective date from September 1, 1999 to January 1, 2000.