SRC-VRA S.B. 598 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 598 78R602 CLG-DBy: Madla Health & Human Services 2/28/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE While EMS providers receive some funding through grants, they must also rely on reimbursements from public and private insurance. However, many volunteer or small EMS operators are finding that public insurance, such as Medicaid, has such a low reimbursement rate and has become so cumbersome to collect, that it is often too difficult or impractical to bill. With increased public awareness of available services, demands on EMS have increased significantly. As proposed, S.B. 598 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to study the current Medicaid reimbursement rates to determine the accuracy of costs of services and whether reimbursement rates are sufficient to support the EMS infrastructure. 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. (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in conjunction with the Texas Department of Health, to study the reimbursement of emergency medical services providers under the state Medicaid program to determine whether the providers are being reasonably reimbursed for their services under the program. Requires HHSC, in conducting the study, to perform certain tasks. (b) Requires HHSC, not later than January 1, 2005, to submit a report of the findings of the study to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the clerks of the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over the state Medicaid program. (c) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2005. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.