SRC-MKV H.B. 1537 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1537
77R11060 KLA-DBy: Coleman (Moncrief)
Health & Human Services
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., examined methods
for obtaining portability of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance
Program coverage for migrant children. Based on preliminary research, it is
believed that a migrant care network model can be developed to improve
health coverage access and continuity of care, and to promote outreach and
education for migrant children. H.B. 1537 requires the Health and Human
Services Commission to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of
contracting with existing networks of health care providers located in
Texas and in other states to establish a migrant care network.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Health and Human Services
Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 531.055, Government Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section 531.055,
as follows: 

Sec. 531.055.  MIGRANT CARE NETWORK STUDY; PILOT PROGRAM. Defines "migrant
or seasonal agricultural worker." 

 (b)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission) to
conduct a study regarding the feasibility of contracting with one or more
existing networks of health care providers located in this state and in
other states to establish a migrant care network to provide health care
services to children of migrant or seasonal agricultural workers who are
residents of this state and intend to return to this state at the
conclusion of temporary or seasonal employment in another state and who are
recipients of medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, or
enrollees in the child health plan program under Chapter 62, Health and
Safety Code, or the health benefits plan program under Chapter 63, Health
and Safety Code. 

(c)  Requires the commission, in conducting the study under this section,
to perform certain duties. 
  
(d)  Requires that if, based on the results of the study under this
section, the commission determines that the establishment of a migrant care
network is feasible, the commission develop and implement a pilot program
for that purpose.  Requires the commission by rule to establish eligibility
criteria for participation in the pilot program. 

 (e)  Requires the commission to report its findings and recommendations
regarding the establishment of a migrant care network to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, and the standing committees of the senate and house of
representatives having primary jurisdiction over the commission.  Requires
the commission to make the report in a certain manner. 
   
  (f)  Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003.
 
SECTION 2. Requires a state agency affected by a provision of this Act to
request a waiver or authorization and authorizes the agency to delay
implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted,
if the agency determines before implementing any provision of this Act that
a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary. 
 
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.