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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a health insurance premium assistance |
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program for low-income Texans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 32.0424 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.0424. HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM ASSISTANCE FOR LOW |
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INCOME TEXANS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Federal poverty level" means the poverty |
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guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. |
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Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 |
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U.S.C. 9902(2); |
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(2) "Department" means the Texas Department of |
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Insurance; |
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(3) "Commissioner" means the Executive Commissioner |
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of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission; and |
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(b) The commissioner shall develop a health insurance |
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premium assistance program for low-income Texas residents. |
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(c) The commissioner may contract with a qualified vendor |
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for the development and administration of the premium assistance |
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program created by this section. |
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(d) An individual is eligible to participate in the program |
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if the individual: |
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(1) does not qualify for medical assistance; |
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(2) has a net family income that is at or below 200 |
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percent of the federal poverty level; |
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(3) meets the requirements regarding mandatory work or |
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participation in employment activities as specified by Human |
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Resources Code Section 31.012; and |
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(4) has not had health insurance for at least 9 of the |
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previous 12 months. |
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(e) Premium assistance provided pursuant to this section |
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may only be used for: |
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(1) an individual health insurance policy, including a |
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high-deductible health benefit plan or a consumer choice plan; |
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(2) a small employer health benefit plan, including a |
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high-deductible health benefit plan or a consumer choice plan; or |
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(3) a large employer health benefit plan, including a |
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high-deductible health benefit plan or a consumer choice plan. |
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(f) The department and commissioner shall adopt rules as |
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necessary to implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |