BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 796

By: Nelson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties cite the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in asserting that diabetes is the number one reason Medicaid patients access health care providers. According to these parties, the overall annual cost of diabetes in Texas is estimated at more than $12 billion, with the number of diabetes patients in Texas expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. The interested parties suggest that, in order to get this preventable chronic disease under control, a greater understanding of the problem, its costs, and possible solutions is needed.

S.B. 796 seeks to provide for that understanding by requiring certain reports and assessments with regard to the prevention and treatment of diabetes in the state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 796 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in coordination with the Texas Diabetes Council, to prepare a biennial report that identifies HHSC's priorities for addressing diabetes within the Medicaid population and to submit the report to the legislature and the governor not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year. The bill requires HHSC, not later than December 1, 2012, to submit the initial report.

S.B. 796 adds a temporary provision, set to expire September 1, 2013, requiring HHSC and the council, not later than December 1, 2012, to prepare and post on HHSC's Internet website a report for elected officials and other policy makers that contains an estimate of the annual direct and indirect costs to both the public and private sectors of preventing diabetes and treating individuals with diabetes in Texas.

S.B. 796 requires the council, in conjunction with developing each state plan for diabetes treatment, education, and training, to conduct a statewide assessment of existing programs for the prevention of diabetes and treatment of individuals with diabetes that are administered by HHSC or a health and human services agency as defined by reference to the Government Code. The bill requires the council, as part of the assessment, to collect data regarding the number of individuals served by the programs; the areas where services to prevent diabetes and treat individuals with diabetes are unavailable; and the number of health care providers treating individuals with diabetes under the programs. The bill requires the council, not later than November 1 of each odd-numbered year, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a written report containing the findings of the assessment and requires the council, not later than November 1, 2013, to conduct and submit a report on the initial assessment. The bill defines "commission" and "council."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.