86R6148 PMO-F
By: Parker H.B. No. 1239
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
regarding the use of health reimbursement accounts in conjunction
with certain Medicare plans to provide health benefit coverage for
certain retired school employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. STUDY. (a) The Teacher Retirement System of
Texas shall conduct a study to evaluate the use of health
reimbursement accounts in conjunction with Medicare plans
available through the individual marketplace as a means to provide
health benefit coverage under Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, for
Medicare-eligible retired school employees and their spouses.
(b) The evaluation must consider:
(1) the affordability and availability of Medicare
plans available through the individual marketplace to
Medicare-eligible retirees and their spouses in the 2018-2019
biennium compared to health benefit plans available to those
retirees and their spouses under Chapter 1575, Insurance Code;
(2) provider availability under Medicare plans
available through the individual marketplace; and
(3) any other items the Teacher Retirement System of
Texas determines are relevant to the system's long-term ability to
provide health benefits to Medicare-eligible retirees and their
spouses considering the demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic
characteristics of the Medicare-eligible retirees and spouses
participating in the group program under Chapter 1575, Insurance
Code.
SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than January 1, 2020, the
Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall submit to the governor,
lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and
Legislative Budget Board a written report of the study conducted
under Section 1 of this Act. The report must include the findings
and legislative recommendations of the Teacher Retirement System of
Texas.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1,
2021.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2019.