SRC-PNG H.B. 3693 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 3693
76R10082 KKA-FBy: Hunter (Fraser)
Human Services
5/13/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, regulations allow the Department of Human Services (DHS) to
license Medicaid beds that are committed to the care of patients with
Alzheimer's and are affiliated with a medical school operated by the state,
are engaged in research, and that separate patients according to the stage
of the disease and the functional level of the patient.  However, there are
no provisions that allow for care of traditional nursing home patients
under similar circumstances.  This bill would authorize DHS to exempt a
nursing facility from the procedures established under this section if the
facility meets certain qualifications, in order to allow the portion of the
traditional nursing beds to be designated as Medicaid to adequately and
fairly treat all segments of the geriatric population. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3693 sets forth certification under the state Medicaid
program of nursing home beds in certain nursing 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 32.0213, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (c), to authorize the Department of Human Services to exempt a
nursing facility for the procedures established under this section if the
facility is affiliated with a state-supported medical school, located on
land owned or controlled by the school, and serves as a teaching facility
for physicians and related health care professionals. 

SECTION 2. (a) Provides that a person is not subject to any limitation
controlling the number of Medicaid beds in nursing facilities and is
entitled to contract with the appropriate state agency to participate in
the state Medicaid program and provide beds in a nursing facility if the
person meets certain requirements, notwithstanding Section 32.0213, Human
Resources Code, or any other law relating to certification of Medicaid beds
in nursing facilities. 

(b) Provides that Subsection (a) of this section authorizes a person to
contract to provide only the number of Medicaid beds specified in the
person's waiver described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.