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Medicaid Reform

Senate Bill 10, passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry, sets the stage for a comprehensive package of Medicaid reforms designed to increase the percentage of Texans with health care coverage, focus on prevention and emphasize individual choice. The reforms will transform Texas’ health care infrastructure, optimize health investments and provide affordable coverage options for uninsured Texans.

Texas Health Care Reform Goals
Senate Bill 10 Highlights
Next Steps and Timelines
Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee
Presentations
Research Papers
Reports
Related Documents
Medicaid Reform Contact Information

Senate Bill 10 Highlights

• Senate Bill 10 Sets Stage for Health Care Reform
• Health Opportunity Pool Trust Fund
• Uncompensated Care Hospital Reporting and Analysis
• Tailored Benefit Packages
• Multi-Share Coverage Options for Texas Communities

Next Steps and Timelines

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is in the process of developing a Texas reform plan with the input of state leaders and stakeholders. HHSC will submit a Medicaid waiver request in late 2007 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [Timeline]

Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee

A Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee is established in Senate Bill 10 to facilitate the reform efforts.  The Committee is composed of four members of the Senate and four members of the House of Representatives.  Information about the Committee’s meetings will be included on this website.

Presentations

• Meeting of the Council Subcommittee on Medicaid Reform (Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007)
• Presentation to HHSC Public Stakeholder Forum (Sept. 10, 2007)
• Texas Medicaid Reform Informational Meeting
  [PowerPoint Presentation] (Aug. 30, 2007) [conference call] (Aug. 31, 2007)
• Presentation to the HHSC Public Stakeholder Forum (July 9, 2007)
• Presentation to the HHSC Public Stakeholder Forum (May 14, 2007)
• Presentation to the House Appropriations Committee (April 2007)
• Presentation to the House Public Health Committee (February 2007)
• Texas Medicaid Policy Summit: Where We Are and Where We’re Going (November 2006)
• Presentation to the Senate Finance Committee: Uncompensated Care and Medicaid Hospital Reimbursement (October 2006)
• HHSC Presentation to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services: Medicaid Reform in Texas (September 2006)

Research Papers

Before the 80th Legislative Session, HHSC prepared preliminary research and background papers on key Medicaid reform topics.  Efforts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in these research papers, although it is possible that some information may be outdated. Many of the states initiating Medicaid reforms are still developing their programs. Because of this, available information about their progress is sometimes limited, and programmatic changes may have occurred which are not reflected within these documents. 

Public-Private Initiatives

• Health Insurance Market Exchange (Connector)
• Children's Health Insurance Program Premium Assistance
• Three-Share/Multi-Share Programs
• Long-Term Care Partnerships
• Low-Income Pools
• Medicaid Opt-Out

Benefits and Consumer Choice and Responsibility

• Premiums and Cost Sharing
• Benchmark Plans (i.e., Tailored Benefits)
• Enhanced Benefit Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts and Health Opportunity Accounts
• Pay for Performance

Long-Term Services and Supports

• Medicare and Medicaid Integration
• Global Budgeting Approaches: The Vermont Approach
• Money Follows the Person for Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation

Reports

• Key decision areas for the concept paper
• A Vision for Texas Health Care Reform: HHSC procured the services of outside experts to help research Medicaid and health care reform options for Texas. The report explores reform initiatives being undertaken by other states and describes the challenges and options for health care reform in Texas.
• Rider 60 Report: Medicaid Provider Reimbursement
• Rider 61 Report: Texas Hospital's Uncompensated Care

Related Documents

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a request for quote on Dec. 28, 2006, for consultant services to help the agency develop, analyze and produce materials related to the Medicaid Reform Project.  Only vendors pre-qualified as part of RFP 529-06-0425 were eligible to submit proposals in response to this request. 

Medicaid Reform Contact Information

If you or your organization would like to provide input on Medicaid reform topics and updates, please e-mail medreform@hhsc.state.tx.us.