HBA-CMT H.B. 98 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 98
                 By: Maxey
             Public Health
2/2/2001
                 Introduced


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, children in the foster care system are eligible for medical
assistance through Medicaid.  At age 18 these children move from their
foster families, group homes, or residential treatment centers directly
into independent living and often lose their health care coverage.  The
federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 provides states with the
option of providing Medicaid coverage to a person who is 18 to 21 years old
making the transition out of foster care.  House Bill 98 requires the
Health and Human Services Commission to provide medical assistance to these
independent foster care adolescents.  

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 98 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Health and
Human Services Commission (HHSC) to provide medical assistance, in
accordance with HHSC rules, to an independent foster care adolescent who is
not otherwise eligible for medical assistance and who HHSC determines is
not covered by a health benefits plan offering adequate benefits.  The bill
prohibits HHSC from considering an independent foster care adolescent's
income, assets, or resources in determining whether the person is eligible
for medical assistance.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.