SRC-MKV S.B. 532 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 532
By: Nelson
Health & Human Services
5/28/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer die as a
result of the disease despite the fact that earlier detection and treatment
could substantially decrease mortality.  S.B. 532 authorizes the Health and
Human Services Commission to provide full Medicaid benefits to uninsured
women under age 65 who are identified through the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and are in need of treatment for
breast or cervical cancer. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Health and Human Services
Commission or an agency operating part of the medical assistance program in
SECTION 1 (Section 32.024, Human Resources Code) of this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (x) to require the Health and Human Services Commission or an
agency operating part of the medical assistance program, as appropriate
(department), to provide medical assistance to a person in need of
treatment for breast or cervical cancer who is eligible for that assistance
under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000
(Pub. L. No. 106-354) for a continuous period during which the person
requires that treatment.  Requires the department to simplify the provider
enrollment process for a provider of that medical assistance and to adopt
rules to provide for certification of presumptive eligibility of a person
for that assistance.  Prohibits the department, to the extent allowed by
federal law, from requiring a personal interview in determining a person's
eligibility for medical assistance under this subsection. 

SECTION 2.  Requires that, if before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal
agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency request the waiver
or authorization and authorizes the delay of implementation of that
provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.