HBA-MSH S.B. 616 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 616
By: Van de Putte
Public Health
5/8/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the American Lung Association of Texas, more than one million
Texans suffer from asthma, one-third of them children.  Asthma is the
leading cause of chronic illness and school absenteeism in children and
teens.  The Texas Medicaid program provided treatment for more than 123,000
asthma patients at a total cost of $41.6 million in fiscal year 1999.
Asthma treatment and management programs have the potential to improve
patient care and reduce the costs associated with asthma by reducing asthma
related emergency room visits.  Senate Bill 616 requires the Health and
Human Services Commission to create a disease management pilot program for
children's asthma.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Health and Human Services
Commissioner in SECTION 1 (Section 531.021912, Government Code) of this
bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 616 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (HHSC) to develop by rule a Medicaid disease management
pilot program (program) for children's asthma for implementation in
counties selected by the Texas Department of Heath with high incidence of
children's asthma and a high rate of hospital emergency room care for the
treatment of children's asthma. The bill requires the program to provide
continuous care, case management, and asthma education to Medicaid
recipients younger than 19 years of age who have been hospitalized or
received emergency care services for asthma. The program is also required
to provide health care provider education to ensure the appropriate use of
specialized asthma treatments. The bill sets forth requirements for the
development, administration, and implementation of the program. The bill
requires HHSC to report to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the
house of representatives on the effectiveness of the program not later than
December 1, 2004. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 requires the commissioner of public health to
establish an asthma and allergy research advisory committee (committee)
composed of nine members appointed by the governor in consultation with the
lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives.  The
amendment sets forth provisions relating to the qualifications of the
committee members and the administration and operation of the committee.
The amendment requires the committee to develop a plan to research asthma
and allergy and related medical conditions in this state, assess the
resources and talent of institutions in this state as possible sites for
research opportunities, analyze the impact of asthma and allergy on the
economy and health of the residents of this state, and make recommendations
to the legislature and governor  concerning research programs in asthma and
allergy and funding alternatives for the programs.  The amendment requires
the committee not later than December 1, 2002 to submit a report to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
regarding asthma and allergy that comprehensively addresses the issues the
committee is required to research.  The amendment provides that the
committee is abolished January 1, 2003 and the provisions regarding the
committee expire September 1, 2003.