Texas House Bill HB1470

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to allowing the parents or guardians of certain medically dependent children to opt out of the STAR Kids managed care program under Medicaid.

Impact

The legislation would specifically modify existing statutes concerning the management of Medicaid services for children with disabilities. The inclusion of an opt-out provision is intended to enhance flexibility within the program, potentially improving health outcomes and administrative processes. However, while this change reflects an effort to individualize care, it raises concerns regarding the overall management of healthcare delivery, especially in ensuring that medically dependent children continue to receive comprehensive support during transitions between care models.

Summary

House Bill 1470 proposes a significant alteration to the STAR Kids managed care program under Medicaid by granting the parents or guardians of certain medically dependent children the ability to opt out of this program. The bill is aimed at providing families with greater control over their children's healthcare choices by allowing them to select a traditional fee-for-service arrangement instead of the managed care model if they believe it would be more beneficial for their child. As such, this bill may cater to the needs of families who seek more tailored and accessible healthcare services for their children facing complex medical conditions.

Contention

There is notable contention surrounding this bill. Proponents argue that enabling families to choose their care model respects parental autonomy and can lead to better health outcomes for children who require more specialized care. Detractors, however, express concern that frequent transitions from managed care to a fee-for-service model might lead to inconsistencies in care and could exacerbate issues related to access and coordination of services. Critics caution that opting out could inadvertently undermine the efficiency that managed care aims to provide, possibly putting medically dependent children at risk of receiving inadequate care.

Implementation

The bill stipulates monitoring provisions to assess the implications of opting out on children's utilization of benefits and overall wellness, ensuring that any transition remains smooth and prioritizes continuity of care. The responsible commission is also tasked with adapting processes based on feedback from families, which will be crucial in determining the long-term effectiveness and public acceptance of this legislative change.