By: Parker, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Creighton) H.B. No. 1461
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 2021;
May 10, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
Education; May 19, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 19, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
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 Medicare plans available through the individual marketplace to
provide health and pharmacy 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 and pharmacy benefit coverage under Chapter 1575, Insurance
Code, for Medicare-eligible retired school employees and their
spouses.
(b) The evaluation must consider:
(1) using claims experience and premium data from the
most recent two years, the affordability and availability of
Medicare plans available through the individual marketplace to
Medicare-eligible retirees and their spouses 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 and pharmacy 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.
(c) In conducting the study under this section, the Teacher
Retirement System of Texas:
(1) may contract or collaborate with entities having
industry-leading expertise and experience in the individual
marketplace; and
(2) shall invite comment and input from interested
stakeholders, including active and retired school employees.
SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2021, 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,
2023.
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, 2021.
* * * * *