HBA-JEK, MPM H.B. 1106 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1106 By: Maxey Public Health 2/11/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the cost of hospital costs for prenatal, delivery, and newborn care in Texas funded by Medicaid is increasing. The Texas Department of Health reports that it is cost-effective for the state to spend money on family planning services. Pursuing a Medicaid waiver to allow the state to expand eligibility for family planning services to women living at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level could allow more women to receive such services. House Bill 1106 sets an income eligibility cap for Medicaid assistance at 185 percent of the federal poverty level, contingent on a federal waiver. 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 House Bill 1106 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) to set the income eligibility cap for Medicaid assistance at no less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level for family planning services for women. The bill requires DHS to request a waiver or authorization from the federal government to implement this provision. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.