SRC-CTC S.B. 51 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 51
77R537 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, youths aged 18 to 21 often lose their Medicaid coverage when
they age out of foster care and have a difficult time obtaining medication
and medical services.  The federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
gives states new flexibility, funding, and program opportunities to provide
assistance to this age group who are making the transition from foster care
to independent living.  As proposed, S.B. 51 directs the Health and Human
Services Commission, or an agency operating part of the medical assistance
program, to extend Medicaid to certain youths aged 18 to 21. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
32.0247, as follows: 

Sec. 32.0247.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS MAKING TRANSITION
FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. Defines "independent foster care
adolescent."  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (the
department), or any agency operating part of the medical assistance
program, as appropriate, to provide medical assistance to certain
independent foster care adolescents.  Set forth criteria for independent
foster care adolescents to be assisted by the department.  Prohibits the
department from considering a person's income, assets or resources in
determining a person's eligibility for medical assistance. 

SECTION 2. Requires the department, as soon as possible after the effective
date of this act, to submit an amendment to the state's Medicaid plan to
comply with the addition of Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.