H.C.R. No. 58 


HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, State Medicaid spending currently accounts for approximately 22 percent of total state spending; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, The Congressional Budget Office projects that Medicaid spending under the current system will more than double by the year 2012; and WHEREAS, The growth in federal spending of the Medicaid and welfare entitlements is astronomical and spiraling, significantly increasing the federal budget costs; and WHEREAS, This growth will never be controlled unless the State of Texas has autonomous management of the program, free from federal mandates regarding individual entitlement, eligibility groups, benefits, payment rates, and financing structures to allow most citizens of the State of Texas to benefit from the Medicaid and welfare programs; and WHEREAS, The State of Texas will be able to design and develop innovative, efficient, and productive medical assistance programs that will meet the needs of the residents within the State of Texas' budget capacity; and WHEREAS, In the State of Texas, there exists the possibility to improve patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness with a statewide implementation of consumer-directed care under the state medical assistance program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to enact the appropriate legislation to pass federal funds on to states via block grants to be used for public welfare and Medicaid purposes; and, be it further RESOLVED, That 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. Delisi ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 90, Nays 45, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the Senate on May 29, 2003, by a viva-voce vote. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor