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.