Texas Senate Bill SB2417

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

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.

Impact

The study mandated by SB2417 will consider various factors, including affordability and availability of Medicare plans in the individual marketplace compared to existing health benefit options available under the Insurance Code. By examining provider availability under these Medicare plans and other relevant long-term considerations, the TRS aims to provide valuable information that can influence the future provision of health benefits. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the findings and any legislative recommendations are to be reported by January 1, 2020, to key state officials, primarily focusing on the welfare of retired school employees.

Summary

SB2417 is a legislative act aimed at conducting a study through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). The focus of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of health reimbursement accounts when used alongside certain Medicare plans available in the individual marketplace. This initiative is particularly relevant for retired school employees and their spouses who are Medicare-eligible. The bill seeks to understand how these accounts might serve as a means to enhance health benefit coverage for these retirees under the current insurance code regulations.

Contention

While the bill primarily establishes a study framework, its implications on state laws concerning health benefits for retired school employees are significant. The outcomes of the study may lead to recommendations for legislative changes that could affect how health benefits are structured in the future for these individuals. Given that the bill is set to expire on January 1, 2021, it creates a limited timeframe for impactful legislative action based on the findings. Stakeholders may have differing views on the importance of health reimbursement accounts versus traditional Medicare plans, which might shape the discussions surrounding the bill's outcomes.