BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1158

By: Davis, Sarah

Public Health

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerned parties assert that Texas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States and in the developed world and recommend implementing statutory changes to increase an at-risk woman's access to information on certain health risks. C.S.H.B. 1158 seeks to improve individual health outcomes for mothers and infants and to reduce maternal mortality rates by including questions on an application for Medicaid benefits relating to pregnancy and preferred method of contact.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 1158 amends the Human Resources Code to require that the application form to receive Medicaid benefits include a specified question regarding the applicant's preferences for being contacted by the applicant's managed care organization or health plan provider and, for an applicant who is pregnant, a question regarding whether the pregnancy is the applicant's first gestational pregnancy. The bill requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, not later than January 1, 2018, to adopt a revised Medicaid application form conforming to that requirement.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1158 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 32.025, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (g)  The application form adopted under this section must include: (1)  for an applicant who is pregnant, a question regarding whether the pregnancy is the woman's first gestational pregnancy; and (2)  a question regarding the applicant's preferences for being contacted, as follows: "If you are determined eligible for benefits, do you want your managed care organization or health plan provider to contact you by telephone, text message, or e-mail about health care matters, including reminders for appointments and information about immunizations or well check visits?  Telephone calls and text messages may be autodialed.  Please indicate your preferences below: (1)  By telephone?   Yes   No Telephone number: _____________ (2)  By text message (a free autodialed service, but your carrier may charge message and data rates)?  Yes   No Cellular telephone number: ______________ (3)  By e-mail?   Yes   No E-mail address: __________________".	SECTION 1.  Section 32.025, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (g)  The application form adopted under this section must include: (1)  for an applicant who is pregnant, a question regarding whether the pregnancy is the woman's first gestational pregnancy; and (2)  a question regarding the applicant's preferences for being contacted, as follows: "If you are determined eligible for benefits, your managed care organization or health plan provider may contact you by telephone, text message, or e-mail about health care matters, including reminders for appointments and information about immunizations or well check visits.  All preferred methods of contact listed on this application will be shared with your managed care organization or health plan provider.  Please indicate below your preferred methods of contact in order of preference, with the number 1 being the most preferable method: (1)  By telephone (if contacted by cellular telephone, the call may be autodialed or prerecorded, and your carrier's usage rates may apply)?   Yes   No Telephone number: _____________ Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) (2)  By text message (a free autodialed service, but your carrier may charge message and data rates)?  Yes   No Cellular telephone number: ______________ Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) (3)  By e-mail?   Yes   No E-mail address: __________________ Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number)".
SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2018, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt a revised application form for medical assistance benefits that conforms to the requirements of Section 32.025(g), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.	SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.