BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), diabetes is the number one reason Medicaid patients access health care providers. The overall annual cost of diabetes in Texas is estimated to be $12.5 billion, and the number of Texans with diabetes is expected to quadruple by 2040.
In order to get this preventable chronic disease under control, we must understand the extent of the problem, what is currently being done to address it, and how much it is costing the health care system.
This bill requires HHSC to prepare a biennial report identifying priorities for addressing diabetes among the Medicaid population. The bill requires HHSC to conduct biennial assessments of existing programs for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, including the number of people served and the areas of the state where patients are concentrated. The bill requires HHSC and the Texas Diabetes Council to issue an estimate of the annual direct and indirect costs to both the public and private sectors of preventing and treating diabetes.
As proposed, S.B. 796 amends current law relating to reporting on the prevention and treatment of diabetes in the state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 95A, as follows:
CHAPTER 95A. REPORTS ON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DIABETES
Sec. 95A.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines, in this chapter, "commission," "health and human services agencies," and "council."
Sec. 95A.002. BIENNIAL REPORT ON COMMISSION'S PRIORITIES FOR ADDRESSING DIABETES. (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to prepare a biennial report that identifies HHSC's priorities for addressing diabetes within the Medicaid population.
(b) Requires HHSC, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit the report to the legislature and the governor.
Sec. 95A.003. BIENNIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND TREAT DIABETES. (a) Requires HHSC to conduct a biennial statewide assessment of existing programs for the prevention of diabetes and treatment of individuals with diabetes that are administered by HHSC or another health and human services agency. Requires HHSC, 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.
(b) Requires HHSC, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit to the legislature a written report containing the findings of the assessment conducted under Subsection (a).
Sec. 95A.004. REPORT ON COSTS OF PREVENTING AND TREATING DIABETES. (a) Requires HHSC and the Texas Diabetes 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 this state.
(b) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Requires HHSC, not later than December 1, 2012, to submit the initial report required by Section 95A.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and conduct and submit a report on the initial assessment required by Section 95A.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2011.