Texas House Bill HB3036

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to a study on the savings to the state achieved by the expansion of Medicaid managed care in regards to the number of persons served and the scope of services provided.

Impact

The bill's implications are primarily focused on Medicaid managed care policies in Texas. By requiring a comprehensive analysis of the state’s savings and service expansion derived from managed care, HB3036 positions itself as a critical step towards understanding and potentially optimizing state healthcare spending. It seeks to clarify the effectiveness of past legislative changes made during the 82nd Legislature that had promised considerable fiscal benefits and an improvement in healthcare accessibility.

Summary

House Bill 3036 mandates the Health and Human Services Commission of Texas to conduct a study assessing the financial impact of expanding Medicaid managed care. The bill specifically targets an analysis of the Legislative Budget Board's prior estimates regarding significant savings attributed to these changes. It emphasizes not just the financial aspect, but also explores how many more individuals are served and the breadth of services provided due to these reforms. The completion of the study is required by December 31, 2016.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB3036 appears to be generally positive, as it aims to provide transparency and accountability regarding state healthcare expenditures. Legislators supporting the bill view the study as a necessary means to validate previous claims about savings and service enhancements under the Medicaid managed care system. This sentiment reflects a broader commitment to evaluating healthcare policies rigorously, making informed decisions grounded in data.

Contention

While there are no major points of contention reported in the discussions around HB3036, a critical aspect could stem from the underlying debate on Medicaid expansion as a whole. Supporters advocate for the expansion of Medicaid managed care for economic and healthcare accessibility benefits, while opponents often raise concerns about the long-term fiscal sustainability of such programs. Thus, the outcome of the study mandated by this bill may influence future discussions on healthcare policy in Texas.