BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deuell
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
H.B. 3484, enacted by the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, authorized the Texas Department of Health to study the establishment of a Medicaid buy-in program in Texas. This program allows persons with disabilities to take employment without losing their Medicaid benefits upon which they rely. The study on this program has been completed by the Texas Department of Health, now the Department of State Health Services, and is ready for implementation.
As proposed, S.B. 566 requires that the Medicaid buy-in program be implemented.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
ANALYSIS
This bill requires the executive commissioner of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a Medicaid buy-in program for people with disabilities who are authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 or the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The executive commissioner is required to adopt rules in accordance with federal law that provide for eligibility requirements for the program and requirements for participants to pay premiums or cost-sharing payments. The executive commissioner is required to do this by December 1, 2005, and to consider the proposal for the program that was submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission by the work group on health care options for people with disabilities.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.