SRC-VRA H.C.R. 56 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.C.R. 56
By: Delisi (Nelson)
Health & Human Services
4/28/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST

State Medicaid spending currently accounts for approximately 22 percent of
total state spending, and under the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage,
the federal share of state Medicaid spending provided to the State of
Texas has decreased by 4.2 percent over the past 10 years. Average monthly
Medicaid caseloads in the State of Texas are projected to increase to
2,885,583 by fiscal year 2005 from 2,376,193 in fiscal year 2003.
Prescription drug costs are a major factor driving Medicaid expenditures,
and annual Medicaid prescription levels in the State of Texas are
projected to rise to 40,257,515 by fiscal year 2005, from 33,859,094 in
fiscal year 2003.  The Congressional Budget Office projects that Medicaid
spending under the current system will more than double by the year 2012
and the Social Security Act grants the secretary of health and human
services broad authority to waive certain laws relating to Medicaid or
SCHIP for the purpose of conducting pilot, experimental, or demonstration
projects that are likely to promote the objectives of the program and
demonstration waivers allow states to change provisions of their Medicaid
and SCHIP programs, including eligibility requirements, the scope of
services available, the freedom to choose a provider, a provider's choice
to participate in a plan, the method of reimbursing providers, and the
statewide application of the program. 
 
PURPOSE 

As proposed, H.C.R. submits the following resolutions:

Requests the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas to respectfully urge
the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
to authorize any section 1115 demonstration waivers, and any other related
waivers, requested by the State of Texas for the purposes of implementing
a consumer-directed care program under the state Medicaid program and,
requests the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this
resolution to the president of the United States, the speaker of the house
of representatives and the president of the senate of the United States
Congress, the secretary of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services, and all the members of the Texas delegation to the
congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered into
the Congressional Record of the United States of America.