HBA-MPM H.B. 2420 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2420
By: Coleman
Public Health
4/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, parents of children receiving Medicaid are only eligible for
Medicaid if they have net incomes below 17 percent of the federal poverty
level after such deductions as work expenses and child care.  This criteria
is also applicable to individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) cash assistance.  The federal Social Security Act allows
states to expand Medicaid coverage to parents with higher incomes by
increasing the amounts that are deducted from their gross incomes so that
the amount of their net income remains below 17 percent of the federal
poverty level.  Texas does not take advantage of this federal provision.
House Bill 2420 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to
conduct a pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage for parents of
children enrolled in Medicaid. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Health and Human Services
Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2420 requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) by
rule to develop and implement a pilot program in accordance with federal
law to provide Medicaid coverage under the state Medicaid program to a
low-income individual who is the parent of a child receiving Medicaid and
who is otherwise not eligible for Medicaid.   HHSC is required to determine
the sites in which to implement the pilot program.  The bill requires HHSC
to submit a report to the legislature regarding the cost-effectiveness of
the pilot program no later than December 1, 2002.  The pilot program
expires September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.