Texas House Bill HB1656

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to funding for emergency medical air transportation provided to patients enrolled in the state Medicaid program; imposing a surcharge.

Impact

The introduction of HB 1656 is likely to have a significant impact on state healthcare laws, particularly in relation to funding emergency medical services. By creating a dedicated account for emergency medical air transportation, the bill not only facilitates more reliable funding but also aims to leverage the newly created surcharges to secure additional federal matching funds. This could lead to improved service availability for air transport, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and facilitating better emergency responses for those in urgent need of medical care, especially in rural or underserved areas.

Summary

House Bill 1656 aims to enhance funding for emergency medical air transportation services provided to patients enrolled in the state's Medicaid program. The bill establishes a dedicated funding account that allows for the collection of surcharges from court costs related to moving violations. Specifically, a defendant convicted of a moving violation will pay a $5 surcharge which will be deposited into the new emergency medical air transportation account. This funding mechanism is intended to ensure that air transportation services are adequately reimbursed, thus improving access for Medicaid beneficiaries who require critical emergency care.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 1656 appears to be positive, with support stemming from various stakeholders who recognize the importance of ensuring prompt emergency transport for Medicaid recipients. Advocates for healthcare improvements have commended the bill as a necessary step towards filling existing funding gaps within the Medicaid system. However, there may be some opposition concerning the imposition of additional surcharges, with critics raising concerns about the impact on individuals facing financial hardship due to court fees.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1656 may revolve around the methodology for implementing the surcharge and allocating funds. While the bill promotes a new funding scheme for essential air medical transport, discussions could arise about the efficacy and fairness of burdening individuals with additional costs, regardless of their socio-economic status. Furthermore, stakeholders might question how effectively the funds will be managed and whether they can truly address the urgent needs of emergency medical air transport across the state.