By: Zerwas H.B. No. 1645
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to efficiencies and cost-savings in the health and human
services and other related regulatory agencies, including the state
medical assistance and child health plan programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any statute to the contrary, the
legislature, in its discretion, may determine the amount of each
appropriation of state funds. The amounts required by statute for
entities that receive state funds under the General Appropriations
Act, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, may be reduced or
eliminated in order to achieve a balanced budget.
SECTION 2. The Health and Human Services Commission and
other agencies responsible for administration of the state medical
assistance and child health plan programs shall identify
efficiencies and reduce expenditures in these programs by:
(1) Leveraging all options for program flexibility and
funding, including working with other states and the federal
Department of Health and Human Services, to increase program
efficiency, accountability, and sustainability;
(2) Implementing payment reform and quality based
payments in fee for service and managed care;
(3) Increasing neonatal intensive care management;
(4) Aligning hospital rates in managed care closer to
fee for service rates;
(5) Renegotiating more efficient contracts;
(6) Developing more appropriate emergency department
hospital rates for nonemergency related visits;
(7) Maximizing client cost-sharing, including
co-payments;
(8) Maximizing federal matching funds through a
statewide transportation broker or a federal waiver;
(9) Pursuing a federal waiver that would allow the
state to share in savings realized to the Medicare program that
result from state improvements in quality and efficiency for
clients enrolled in both the state medical assistance program and
Medicare;
(10) Reducing costs for durable medical equipment and
laboratory services through rate reductions, utilization
management, and consolidation;
(11) Optimizing federal matching funds for all state
and local funding streams, including Trauma Funds;
(12) Increasing utilization management and review;
(13) Evaluating the consolidation of existing state
health plans for children's health;
(14) Reviewing the implications of continuing or
eliminating certain optional services;
(15) Modifying inpatient and outpatient hospital
reimbursements;
(16) Promoting and expanding the use of telemedicine,
telemonitoring, and other technologies;
(17) Increasing client access to preventive primary
care;
(18) Implementing an objective client assessment
process;
(19) Maximizing efficiencies and cost-savings through
the managed care model;
(20) Ensuring that clients are being served in the
most cost-effective Section 1915(c) waiver program appropriate for
their needs;
(21) Streamlining the administration and delivery of
services through Section 1915(c) waiver programs;
(22) Requiring clients of Section 1915(c) waiver
programs to access attendant services through community based
entitlement programs as appropriate;
(23) Requesting any waiver or authorization from a
federal agency determined to be necessary for implementation of any
initiative aimed at improving efficiency and reducing
expenditures; and
(24) Implementing additional initiatives identified
by the Health and Human Services Commission and other agencies
responsible for administration of the state medical assistance and
child health plan programs.
SECTION 3. Section 533.0025(e), Government Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 4. 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, 2011.