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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a county HIV and AIDS services Medicaid waiver program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.09721 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.09721. COUNTY HIV AND AIDS SERVICES MEDICAID |
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WAIVER PROGRAM. (a) If feasible and cost-effective, the |
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commission may apply for a waiver from the federal Centers for |
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Medicare and Medicaid Services or another appropriate federal |
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agency to more efficiently leverage the use of state and local funds |
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in order to maximize the receipt of federal Medicaid matching funds |
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by providing counties in the state with the flexibility to provide |
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benefits under the Medicaid program to individuals who: |
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(1) have a net family income that is at or below 150 |
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percent of the federal poverty level; and |
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(2) are eligible to receive medical treatment for HIV |
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or AIDS through the county. |
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(b) In establishing the waiver program required under this |
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section, the commission shall: |
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(1) ensure that the state is a prudent purchaser of the |
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health care services that are needed for the individuals described |
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by Subsection (a); |
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(2) solicit broad-based input from interested |
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persons; |
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(3) ensure that the benefits received by an individual |
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through the county are not reduced once the individual is enrolled |
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in the waiver program; and |
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(4) employ the use of intergovernmental transfers and |
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other procedures to maximize the receipt of federal Medicaid |
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matching funds. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |