HBA-CCH C.S.H.B. 154 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 154
By: Thompson
Human Services
3/29/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law the Health and Human Services Commission provides a
minimum personal needs allowance of $30 a month to Medicaid residents in
long-term care facilities.  This allowance enables residents to purchase
simple goods and services which can help maintain feelings of control over
their lives. C.S.H.B. 154 increases the minimum personal needs allowance to
$60 a month.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 154 amends the Human Resources Code to increase from $30 a month
to $60 a month the minimum personal needs allowance set by the Health and
Human Services Commission (HHSC) for Medicaid recipients who are residents
of a convalescent or nursing home or related institution, personal care
facility, ICF-MR facility, or other similar long-term care facility.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 154 modifies the original to require the Health and Human Services
Commission to increase the minimum personal needs allowance to $60 a month,
rather than $75 a month.  The substitute also modifies the original to
conform to the Texas Legislative Council style and format.