Texas House Bill HB2333

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the Texas ambulance response safety net program; imposing a mandatory payment; authorizing an administrative penalty.

Impact

The bill's passage could significantly alter the landscape of emergency medical services in Texas. By authorizing the Health and Human Services Commission to collect mandatory payments from ambulance providers, it aims to generate sufficient revenue to cover administrative costs and enhance reimbursements. The creation of the Texas ambulance response safety net trust fund will further ensure that collected funds are used specifically for enhancing emergency services without expanding Medicaid eligibility. This could lead to improved service levels and financial stability for emergency medical providers reliant on Medicaid funding.

Summary

House Bill 2333 introduces the Texas ambulance response safety net program aimed at establishing a financially sustainable system to support ground transport emergency medical services providers. The bill mandates that these providers who participate in the state Medicaid program assess a quarterly payment based on their net patient revenue related to emergency services. This program is designed to ensure adequate reimbursement for services while providing funding through a system that is self-sustaining without imposing additional costs on patients or third-party payors.

Contention

While the bill aims to streamline funding for emergency medical services, it may provoke debate regarding the equitable distribution of these mandatory payments. Providers might express concerns over the financial burdens associated with these assessments, especially smaller or rural ambulance services which may operate on thinner margins. Additionally, stakeholders might challenge the mechanisms of revenue collection and allocation, ensuring that enhancements directly benefit the quality and availability of emergency response services without compromising overall patient care accessibility.