Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
CHIP
ERVICES/Medicaid /Medicaid and
77 th Texas Legislature
Demonstration Project to Extend Medicaid to Low-Income Adults - H.B. 2807
by Representative Kitchen, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Barrientos
Texas has enacted many laws that address the provision of health coverage for its uninsured children.
However, low-income adults are often unable to obtain affordable, quality health care. Currently, there are
a number of local initiatives that address the health needs of low-income, uninsured adults who do not
qualify for Medicaid. Through a demonstration project, these initiatives could receive federal matching
funds to expand health coverage for low-income adults.
Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a project to provide medical
assistance for certain adult individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid.
Requires HHSC and local governmental entities to establish a family income eligibility limit for individuals
participating in the project so that only an individual whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the
federal poverty level is eligible for participation in the project.
Requires HHSC to select one or more municipalities or counties in which to implement the project, and at
least one selected county must have a population of more than 725,000 or at least one selected
municipality must have a population of more than 600,000. Authorizes the project to be implemented in a
multi-county region and to include local funds made available through a county indigent health care
program.
Texas Medicaid Health Insurance Premium Payment Program - H.B. 3038
by Representative Isett
Senate Sponsor: Senator Nelson
The Texas Medicaid Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP) is a program that pays the
medical insurance premium, copayments, and deductibles for Medicaid eligible employees of companies
that offer private health insurance and meet HIPP requirements. Under this program, employers also pay a
share of the employees' coverage. If it is cost effective, HIPP will pay the premium for an entire family even
if only one child in the family is Medicaid eligible. Because of the emphasis on cost-effectiveness,
expanding HIPP to cover state child health plan (CHIP) recipients and more Medicaid recipients could save
the state money while increasing the number of residents with health insurance coverage. However, many
families are currently approved for HIPP outside of their employer's open enrollment periods because the
eligibility process can be time consuming.
Permits enrollment in HIPP regardless of period restrictions and directs CHIP eligible children and
individuals eligible for Medicaid into the HIPP program if it is cost effective.
Senate Research Center 149