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


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 98
      By: Maxey
  Public Health
4/4/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.  C.S.H.B. 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

C.S.H.B. 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.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 98 modifies the original by updating a reference to federal
statute.