HBA-MPM H.B. 2355 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2355 By: Tillery Public Health 3/21/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law provides for presumed eligibility for Medicaid coverage of a newborn. However, there is not a similar mechanism under the Children's Health Program (CHIP). Families whose income level exceeds the limit for Medicaid but not for CHIP do not have coverage for delivery and care for a newborn infant. House Bill 2355 entitles a child who is eligible for CHIP to health care services from the time of birth if the child is enrolled in CHIP within 30 days after birth. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2355 amends the Health and Safety Code to entitle a child who is eligible for health benefits coverage under the state child health plan (CHIP) to benefits for health care services provided to the child from the time of the child's birth if the child applies to enroll in CHIP no later than the 30th day after the child is born. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.