Amend HB 3295 (house committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering the SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  (a)  Using existing resources, the Health and Human Services Commission shall:

(1)  identify and evaluate barriers preventing Medicaid recipients enrolled in the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care program or a home and community-based services waiver program from choosing the consumer directed services option and develop recommendations for increasing the percentage of Medicaid recipients enrolled in those programs who choose the consumer directed services option; and

(2)  study the feasibility of establishing a community attendant registry to assist Medicaid recipients enrolled in the community attendant services program in locating providers.

(b)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit a report containing the commission's findings and recommendations under Subsection (a) of this section to the governor, the legislature, and the Legislative Budget Board. The report required by this subsection may be combined with any other report required by this Act or other law.

SECTION ____.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study of the provision of dental services to adults with disabilities under the Medicaid program, including:

(1)  the types of dental services provided, including preventive dental care, emergency dental services, and periodontal, restorative, and prosthodontic services;

(2)  limits or caps on the types and costs of dental services provided;

(3)  unique considerations in providing dental care to adults with disabilities, including additional services necessary for adults with particular disabilities; and

(4)  the availability and accessibility of dentists who provide dental care to adults with disabilities, including the availability of dentists who provide additional services necessary for adults with particular disabilities.

(b)  In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this section, the Health and Human Services Commission shall:

(1)  identify the number of adults with disabilities whose Medicaid benefits include limited or no dental services and who, as a result, have sought medically necessary dental services during an emergency room visit;

(2)  if feasible, estimate the number of adults with disabilities who are receiving services under the Medicaid program and who have access to alternative sources of dental care, including pro bono dental services, faith-based dental services providers, and other public health care providers; and

(3)  collect data on the receipt of dental services during emergency room visits by adults with disabilities who are receiving services under the Medicaid program, including the reasons for seeking dental services during an emergency room visit and the costs of providing the dental services during an emergency room visit, as compared to the cost of providing the dental services in the community.

(c)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit a report containing the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section and the commission's recommendations for improving access to dental services in the community for and reducing the provision of dental services during emergency room visits to adults with disabilities receiving services under the Medicaid program to the governor, the legislature, and the Legislative Budget Board. The report required by this subsection may be combined with any other report required by this Act or other law.