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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance reports that while |
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the group health insurance market in Texas remains relatively |
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stable, the individual market for health insurance continues to |
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experience issues with access and affordability; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the department's 2018 Biennial Report, |
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eight carriers will offer individual major medical plans on the |
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federal health exchange in Texas in 2019, compared to 19 carriers in |
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2016, and the cost of premiums for most of the plans will increase |
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70 to 200 percent compared to the cost in 2014, when Affordable Care |
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Act plans first became available; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance further reports |
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that Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act encourages innovation |
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by allowing states to request a waiver from certain provisions of |
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the Act and that new federal guidance provides more flexibility to |
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states in applying for such a waiver; and |
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WHEREAS, Eight states have received a 1332 innovation waiver |
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to increase choice and competition in their individual health |
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insurance markets while protecting people with preexisting |
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conditions, according to the National Conference of State |
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Legislatures; and |
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WHEREAS, The National Conference of State Legislatures |
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describes an additional waiver of federal law that affects state |
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health care coverage under Medicaid; Section 1115 of the Social |
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Security Act encourages state experimental demonstrations in |
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Medicaid; states have used 1115 demonstration waivers to test a |
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wide range of policy approaches, including offering coverage to |
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otherwise ineligible populations, providing services not typically |
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covered by Medicaid, experimenting with cost sharing and other |
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payment reforms, and implementing changes to the delivery system; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Innovation in state health care coverage does not |
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always require a waiver; some options for achieving greater |
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flexibility with current Medicaid funding can be implemented |
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directly by states, subject to federal guidelines; and |
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WHEREAS, States have been given greater flexibility to foster |
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innovation in state health care coverage, and a study would help to |
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identify all of the options for improving access to quality health |
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care in Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house |
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of representatives to create a joint interim committee on state |
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health care coverage; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee explore options for improving |
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access to quality health care in Texas, including options for |
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achieving greater flexibility with current Medicaid funding and for |
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using 1115 demonstration waivers and 1332 innovation waivers; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of four members of |
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the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, who shall |
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designate one of the members as joint chair, and four members of the |
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house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, who |
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shall designate one of the members as joint chair; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including |
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findings and recommendations, to the 87th Texas Legislature before |
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it convenes in January 2021; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be |
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governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees |
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as the 86th Texas Legislature may adopt. |