1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the study of a buy-in option for the state child health
1-3 plan.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the
1-6 Health and Human Services Commission.
1-7 (b) The commission shall conduct a study to determine the
1-8 feasibility of a buy-in option to allow families without access to
1-9 health benefits coverage to purchase health benefits coverage for
1-10 all family members under the state child health plan under Chapter
1-11 62, Health and Safety Code.
1-12 (c) To determine the feasibility of the buy-in option, the
1-13 commission shall examine:
1-14 (1) the fiscal impact on the state of a buy-in option;
1-15 (2) the fiscal impact on families that would choose to
1-16 participate in the plan through a buy-in option;
1-17 (3) the cost of a comparable health benefits plan in
1-18 the current market;
1-19 (4) the need for a buy-in option, by determining:
1-20 (A) the number of families that would likely
1-21 choose to participate in the plan through a buy-in option; and
1-22 (B) whether families that are not covered by a
1-23 health benefits plan and that would participate in the program
1-24 through a buy-in option could be covered in the private market;
2-1 (5) the role of private insurance agents in enrollment
2-2 in the plan through the buy-in option;
2-3 (6) the possible effects that a buy-in option to the
2-4 plan would have on the private market for health benefits plan
2-5 coverage;
2-6 (7) the options for the system of delivery for plan
2-7 benefits; and
2-8 (8) the options for obtaining federal matching funds
2-9 for the program, including the use of local government funds.
2-10 (d) In conducting the study the commission shall consult
2-11 consumer groups interested in the private market for health
2-12 benefits plan coverage and members of the issuers of health
2-13 benefits plan coverage in the private market, including agents and
2-14 actuaries. The commission may consult other groups in conducting
2-15 the study and may consult with other agencies of this state to
2-16 obtain necessary data.
2-17 (e) Not later than November 1, 2002, the commission shall
2-18 submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
2-19 house of representatives a written report containing the findings
2-20 of the study.
2-21 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-22 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-23 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-24 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-25 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 835 was passed by the House on
April 20, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2
present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate
amendments to H.B. No. 835 on May 24, 2001, by the following vote:
Yeas 133, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 835 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 17, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays
0, 1 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor