78R637 DLF-D

By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 493



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to mental health and substance abuse services provided 
through certain state health benefit programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 531.0224 to read as follows:
	Sec. 531.0224.  MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.  
(a)  To ensure appropriate delivery of mental health and substance 
abuse services, the commission shall regularly evaluate program 
contractors and subcontractors that provide or arrange for the 
services for persons enrolled in:
		(1)  the Medicaid program, including the managed care 
Medicaid program;
		(2)  the state child health plan program; and                          
		(3)  the Texas Health Steps program, including the 
comprehensive care program.
	(b)  The commission shall monitor:                                      
		(1)  payment arrangements between a contractor 
providing or arranging for mental health or substance abuse 
services under a program described by Subsection (a) and any health 
maintenance organization or other subcontractor that is providing 
or arranging for mental health or substance abuse services;
		(2)  penetration rates, as they relate to mental health 
and substance abuse services provided by or through contractors and 
subcontractors;
		(3)  utilization rates, as they relate to mental health 
and substance abuse services provided by or through contractors and 
subcontractors;
		(4)  provider networks used by contractors and 
subcontractors to provide mental health or substance abuse 
services; and
		(5)  reimbursement rates paid for mental health and 
substance abuse services.
	SECTION 2.  The Health and Human Services Commission shall 
prepare a report concerning alternatives, including appropriate 
federal waivers, that may be used to fund expansion of the range of 
mental health and substance abuse services provided to persons 
enrolled in the Medicaid program. Not later than December 1, 2005, 
the commission shall submit the report for the consideration of the 
committees of the senate and house of representatives with 
jurisdiction over the Medicaid program.
	SECTION 3.   This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.