Relating to the study of the fiscal impact on local governments in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall Counties of restructuring the NorthSTAR behavioral health system and the effective implementation the Sunset Commission Health and Human Services Commission Issue 9 recommendation.
The bill also allows for Collin County to exit the NorthSTAR program by October 1, 2016, and sets a modified deadline for any further changes to the structure to September 1, 2017. Advocacy for local governance and input is underscored, aiming to ensure that community needs are effectively addressed through the potential changes.
The bill stipulates that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will engage a private entity approved by the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority to conduct this study. It will look into various aspects such as budget impacts on county and municipal levels, potential recidivism due to service disruption, access to care, and overall quality of healthcare outcomes. The findings, due by June 30, 2016, are intended to provide the necessary data to inform future legislative decisions regarding public behavioral health care in the specified counties.
House Bill 3990 introduces a mandate for a comprehensive study evaluating the fiscal impact on local governments in several counties—Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall—regarding the potential restructuring of the NorthSTAR behavioral health system. The bill emphasizes the importance of understanding how such legislative changes could affect local services and budgets, particularly if the existing managed care framework is dissolved as recommended by the Sunset Commission's report on Health and Human Services.
A notable point of contention surrounding this bill is the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the NorthSTAR system and proposals for its restructuring. Proponents of keeping or improving the existing system argue that it successfully integrates various behavioral health services. In contrast, critics fear that dismantling the structure may lead to service gaps and increased burdens on local government budgets and healthcare services, particularly for those most vulnerable in the community.