86R20163 CLE-D
By: Kolkhorst S.C.R. No. 57
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance reports that while
the group health insurance market in Texas remains relatively
stable, the individual market for health insurance continues to
experience issues with access and affordability; and
WHEREAS, According to the department's 2018 Biennial Report,
eight carriers will offer individual major medical plans on the
federal health exchange in Texas in 2019, compared to 19 carriers in
2016, and the cost of premiums for most of the plans will increase
70 to 200 percent compared to the cost in 2014, when Affordable Care
Act plans first became available; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance further reports
that Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act encourages innovation
by allowing states to request a waiver from certain provisions of
the Act and that new federal guidance provides more flexibility to
states in applying for such a waiver; and
WHEREAS, Eight states have received a 1332 innovation waiver
to increase choice and competition in their individual health
insurance markets while protecting people with preexisting
conditions, according to the National Conference of State
Legislatures; and
WHEREAS, The National Conference of State Legislatures
describes an additional waiver of federal law that affects state
health care coverage under Medicaid; Section 1115 of the Social
Security Act encourages state experimental demonstrations in
Medicaid; states have used 1115 demonstration waivers to test a
wide range of policy approaches, including offering coverage to
otherwise ineligible populations, providing services not typically
covered by Medicaid, experimenting with cost sharing and other
payment reforms, and implementing changes to the delivery system;
and
WHEREAS, Innovation in state health care coverage does not
always require a waiver; some options for achieving greater
flexibility with current Medicaid funding can be implemented
directly by states, subject to federal guidelines; and
WHEREAS, States have been given greater flexibility to foster
innovation in state health care coverage, and a study would help to
identify all of the options for improving access to quality health
care in Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house
of representatives to create a joint interim committee on state
health care coverage; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee explore options for improving
access to quality health care in Texas, including options for
achieving greater flexibility with current Medicaid funding and for
using 1115 demonstration waivers and 1332 innovation waivers; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of four members of
the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, who shall
designate one of the members as joint chair, and four members of the
house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, who
shall designate one of the members as joint chair; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
findings and recommendations, to the 87th Texas Legislature before
it convenes in January 2021; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be
governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees
as the 86th Texas Legislature may adopt.