By: Manuel H.B. No. 4666

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to streamlining the deadlines for the Health and Human Services Commission to submit certain required reports to the Legislature.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 532.0453, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 532.0453. CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN INTERVENTIONS AND BEST PRACTICES BY PROVIDERS; [BIANNUAL] REPORT EVERY EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR. (a) The commission shall encourage Medicaid providers to continue implementing effective interventions and best practices associated with improvements in the health outcomes of Medicaid recipients that were developed and achieved under the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program previously operated under the Texas Health Care Transformation and Quality Improvement Program waiver issued under Section 1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315), through:

(1) existing provider incentive programs and the creation of new provider incentive programs;

(2) the terms included in contracts with Medicaid managed care organizations;

(3) implementation of alternative payment models; or

(4) adoption of other cost-effective measures.

(b) The commission shall [biannually] prepare and submit a report in every even-numbered year to the legislature that contains a summary of the commission's efforts under this section and Section 531.085(b).

SECTION 2. Section 542.0054, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 542.0054. [ANNUAL] REPORT EVERY EVEN-NUMERED YEAR ON IMPLEMENTATION. (a) Not later than September 30 of each even-numbered year, the commission, in consultation and collaboration with the advisory committee, shall prepare and submit a report to the legislature that must include:

(1) an assessment of the implementation of the system required by this chapter, including appropriate information regarding the provision of acute care services and long-term services and supports to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability under Medicaid as described by this chapter;

(2) recommendations regarding implementation of and improvements to the system redesign, including recommendations regarding appropriate statutory changes to facilitate the implementation; and

(3) an assessment of the effect of the system on the following:

(A) access to long-term services and supports;

(B) the quality of acute care services and long-term services and supports;

(C) meaningful outcomes for Medicaid recipients using person-centered planning, individualized budgeting, and self-determination, including a person's inclusion in the community;

(D) the integration of service coordination of acute care services and long-term services and supports;

(E) the efficiency and use of funding;

(F) the placement of individuals in housing that is the least restrictive setting appropriate to an individual's needs;

(G) employment assistance and customized, integrated, competitive employment options; and

(H) the number and types of fair hearing and appeals processes in accordance with applicable federal law.

(b) This section expires on the second anniversary of the date the commission completes implementation of the transition required under Sections 542.0201, 542.0202, and 542.0203 [Section 534.202].

SECTION 3. The heading of Section 543A.008, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: [ANNUAL] REPORT EVERY EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR.

SECTION 4. Section 543A.008(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 543A.008. [ANNUAL] REPORT EVERY EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR. (a) The commission shall submit to the legislature and make available to the public in every even-numbered year [an annual] report regarding:

(1) the quality-based outcome and process measures developed under Sections 543A.0002 and 543A.0003 [Section 536.003], including measures based on each potentially preventable event; and

(2) the progress of the implementation of quality-based payment systems under Section 543A.0004 and other payment initiatives implemented under this chapter.

SECTION 5. 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 6. The Health and Human Services Commission is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

SECTION 7. 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, 2025.