HBA-NLM, NLM, RAR H.B. 143 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 143
By: Thompson
Human Services
2/26/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Medicaid residents in nursing homes have an allowance of $30 a
month for all personal needs.  This amount has not been increased since
1983.  H.B. 143 sets the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in
nursing homes at $60 a month. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not delegate  any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (v), to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
to set a personal needs allowance of not less than $60 a month for a person
who receives medical assistance and resides in a licensed convalescent home
or other similar long-term care facility.  Authorizes the HHSC to send the
allowance directly to a resident who receives Supplemental Security Income.
Provides that this subsection does not apply to a resident participating in
a medical assistance waiver program administered by HHSC. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.  
            Makes the application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.