Relating to the establishment of the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program; authorizing a fee.
Impact
The proposed bill would require health benefit plan issuers to pay an annual fee, which will be assessed by the comptroller. This funding mechanism aims to support the operations of the analysis program, which involves analyzing costs and expenditures related to health care services in the state. By instituting this program, Texas aims to maintain a system that provides financial transparency and accountability concerning the impacts of new health care mandates on coverage costs, administrative expenses, and overall health service utilization.
Summary
House Bill 1906 proposes the establishment of the Health Impact, Cost, and Coverage Analysis Program within the Texas Insurance Code. This program is designed to conduct impact analyses on proposed legislation that would require health benefit plan issuers or administrators to impose new mandates. This program aims to provide legislators with essential data regarding the financial implications of their legislative proposals related to health care coverage, ensuring that they can make informed decisions concerning health care policies.
Contention
While the bill emphasizes the importance of data-based decision-making in health care policy, it may face contention from various stakeholders. Health care providers and industry representatives might argue against the fees imposed on health plan issuers, fearing increased administrative costs could be passed on to consumers. Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential for the analysis program to delay legislative processes by requiring data assessments before new mandates can be enacted.
Relating to a "Texas solution" to reforming and addressing issues related to the Medicaid program, including the creation of an alternative program designed to ensure health benefit plan coverage to certain low-income individuals through the private marketplace; requiring a fee.
Relating to methods for the recovery of system restoration costs incurred by electric utilities following hurricanes, tropical storms, ice or snow storms, floods, and other weather-related events and natural disasters.
Relating to methods for the recovery of system restoration costs incurred by electric utilities following hurricanes, tropical storms, ice or snow storms, floods, and other weather-related events and natural disasters.
Relating to the response and resilience of certain electricity service providers to major weather-related events or other natural disasters; granting authority to issue bonds.