83R10317 JSL-D
By: Schwertner S.J.R. No. 61
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the reduction of
amounts paid by Texans to provide health care to the uninsured if
Medicaid eligibility is expanded in accordance with the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; requiring hospital
district tax rate reductions.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 51-b to read as follows:
Sec. 51-b. If this state expands eligibility for medical
assistance in accordance with and provides medical assistance using
federal matching funds made available under the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. No. 111-148) as amended by the
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No.
111-152) to provide that assistance, the legislature shall:
(1) by law prescribe appropriate rate reductions for
taxes imposed by hospital districts in this state that reflect the
reduction of health care costs of those districts resulting from
the receipt of additional federal funds for providing that
assistance; and
(2) reduce the amount of money appropriated for
providing uncompensated care to residents of this state to reflect
the reduced need for that care.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013.
The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring the reduction
of amounts paid by Texans to provide health care to the uninsured if
Medicaid eligibility is expanded in accordance with the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; requiring hospital
district tax rate reductions."