Honorable James B. Frank, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2474 by Guillen (Relating to the continuation of medical assistance for certain individuals.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to continue Medicaid eligibility for individuals enrolled in the Home and Community-based Services or Texas Home Living waiver programs or residing in an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition, if a loss of Medicaid eligibility was due to a minor error that would otherwise result in Medicaid eligibility being denied. The bill would also require HHSC to prepare and submit a report that provides certain data regarding the suspension or termination of medical assistance benefits that occurred during the preceding state fiscal year. It is assumed implementing these provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
The bill amends §32.0256(a) of Human Resources Code, which was added by House Bill 3292, Eighty-fifth Legislature, Regular Session. That bill only required HHSC to implement the provisions if a specific appropriation was received, and this bill also repeals that provision of the legislation. According to HHSC, those provisions were not implemented. This analysis does not contemplate implementation of those requirements in §32.0256(a), which HHSC indicates would have a cost that cannot be determined.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.