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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 low-income pool using certain federal |
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funds. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter N to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER N. LOW-INCOME POOL |
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Sec. 531.501. AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN FEDERAL WAIVER FOR POOLED |
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FUNDS. The executive commissioner may seek a waiver under Section |
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1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315) to |
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the state Medicaid plan to allow the commission to more efficiently |
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and effectively use federal money provided under the |
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disproportionate share hospitals and upper payment limit |
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supplemental payment programs to offset and reduce costs associated |
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with providing uncompensated health care in this state by: |
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(1) depositing that money into a pooled fund; and |
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(2) apportioning the money in the fund between the |
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following: |
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(A) providing reimbursements to health care |
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providers for providing uncompensated health care; and |
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(B) providing subsidies to assist uninsured |
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persons in obtaining health care coverage. |
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Sec. 531.502. IMPLEMENTATION OF LOW-INCOME POOL. If a |
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waiver authorized by Section 531.501 is approved: |
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(1) the low-income pool is established in accordance |
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with the terms of the waiver; and |
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(2) the executive commissioner by rule shall adopt a |
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methodology for apportioning money in the pool between the purposes |
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described by Section 531.501(2). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |