Texas House Bill HB2205

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/20/09

Caption

Relating to a county's eligibility to receive state assistance for health care expenditures that exceed eight percent of the county's general revenue levy for the year.

Impact

The modification proposed in HB 2205 is expected to significantly impact local government funding structures, particularly in areas where counties struggle to manage health care costs. By allowing counties to factor in Medicaid payments, it is anticipated that more counties will reach the threshold necessary to qualify for state financial assistance. This could potentially lead to improved healthcare services in counties that are currently financially strained, as they can receive at least 90 percent reimbursement for health care services provided beyond their budget constraints.

Summary

House Bill 2205 is focused on enhancing counties' eligibility for receiving state assistance in covering health care expenditures that surpass eight percent of their general revenue levies for the fiscal year. The bill makes adjustments to the Health and Safety Code, specifically concerning how counties can calculate their expenditure levels in relation to state assistance. Under this legislation, counties are empowered to include payments made for health care services provided through Medicaid as part of their expenditure calculations, thereby expanding their financial capabilities when addressing health care costs for eligible residents.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2205 may involve concerns regarding the state's budgetary capacity to support increased funding requests from counties. While the bill stands to benefit financially disadvantaged counties, some legislators may argue about the implications of increasing state spending on health care reimbursements. Additionally, discussions may arise regarding whether the bill effectively addresses the systemic issues facing health care delivery at the local level or merely serves as a temporary financial fix.