By Lucio S.B. No. 1299
77R5297 SGA-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the creation and duties of a task force on rate-setting
1-3 methodologies for the Medicaid and state child health plan
1-4 programs.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
1-7 amended by adding Section 531.0221 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 531.0221. TASK FORCE ON RATE-SETTING METHODOLOGIES FOR
1-9 MEDICAID PROGRAM AND STATE CHILD HEALTH PLAN PROGRAM. (a) In this
1-10 section:
1-11 (1) "Child health plan program" means the state child
1-12 health plan program authorized by Chapter 62, Health and Safety
1-13 Code.
1-14 (2) "Task force" means the task force on rate-setting
1-15 methodologies for the Medicaid and child health plan programs
1-16 appointed by the commissioner under this section.
1-17 (b) The commissioner shall appoint a task force to examine
1-18 and evaluate rate-setting methodologies for the Medicaid program
1-19 and the child health plan program.
1-20 (c) The commissioner shall appoint 11 members to serve on
1-21 the task force. The task force shall be composed of:
1-22 (1) representatives of the Texas Department of Health
1-23 who are involved in the administration of the Medicaid program or
1-24 the child health plan program;
2-1 (2) health economists active in the area of public
2-2 health research who are associated with an academic institution;
2-3 (3) public health professionals, including at least
2-4 one epidemiologist; and
2-5 (4) a representative of the Texas Hospital
2-6 Association.
2-7 (d) A member of the task force may not receive compensation,
2-8 but is entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by
2-9 the member while conducting the business of the task force as
2-10 provided by the General Appropriations Act.
2-11 (e) The commission shall provide administrative support and
2-12 resources to the task force as necessary for the task force to
2-13 perform the duties under this section.
2-14 (f) The task force is not subject to Chapter 2110,
2-15 Government Code.
2-16 (g) The task force shall perform the research necessary to
2-17 evaluate the rate-setting methodologies for the Medicaid program
2-18 and the child health plan program and, not later than December 1,
2-19 2002, produce a report based on the results of that evaluation.
2-20 The report must include recommendations of the task force on ways
2-21 to improve the rate-setting methodologies.
2-22 (h) The task force shall, in preparing the report required
2-23 under Subsection (g), examine relevant information including:
2-24 (1) the incidence and prevalence of disease in
2-25 comparison to the utilization of services;
2-26 (2) the number of physicians participating in the
2-27 Medicaid program and the child health plan program who are
3-1 providing services in the various geographic areas of the state;
3-2 (3) the number of clients under the Medicaid program
3-3 and the child health plan program;
3-4 (4) the potential effects of developing incentive
3-5 programs such as rate increases targeted to encourage health
3-6 providers to relocate or remain in underserved areas;
3-7 (5) the potential effects of developing a tiered
3-8 system of rate increases based on level of need; and
3-9 (6) any other significant factors relating to
3-10 rate-setting methodologies.
3-11 (i) The task force shall seek technical assistance if needed
3-12 from representatives of the federal Health Care Financing
3-13 Administration.
3-14 (j) The task force shall deliver the report required under
3-15 Subsection (g) to the commissioner and to the legislature.
3-16 (k) The task force shall:
3-17 (1) continue to monitor the information evaluated in
3-18 the report required under Subsection (g) and any changes made in
3-19 the rate-setting methodologies for the Medicaid program and the
3-20 child health plan program; and
3-21 (2) submit another report with any additional
3-22 recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature not later
3-23 than December 1, 2004.
3-24 (l) This section expires September 1, 2005.
3-25 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.