Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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BORDER AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
Medicaid and CHIP in the Texas-Mexico Border Region - S.B. 1053
by Senator Shapleigh, et al.
House Sponsors: Representative Chavez, et al.
Currently, the Medicaid reimbursement and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) capitation rates
for the 43 border counties are significantly lower than those of other counties in the state. Border counties
are some of the poorest in the state, and these counties have been unable to build an adequate health
infrastructure, resulting in barriers to access of health care services and a lower historical utilization of
services. Since the historical utilization of services is a significant factor in Medicaid reimbursement and the
original CHIP capitation rates, border healthcare providers have disproportionately lower reimbursement
and capitation rates for professional services.
Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to increase the Medicaid reimbursement
rate and to provide a financial incentive to physicians who provide services to certain Medicaid and CHIP
enrollees in the Texas-Mexico border region.
Requires HHSC to appoint an advisory committee (committee) to develop a strategic plan for eliminating
reimbursement disparities between the Texas-Mexico border region and other areas of the state.
Requires the committee to periodically prepare a report analyzing and comparing CHIP and Medicaid
reimbursement rates and expenditures between the Texas-Mexico border region and other areas of the
state.
Authorizes HHSC, with advice from the committee and other appropriate groups, to vary the amount of any
rate increases for services.
Requires HHSC to develop mechanisms to pass any rate increase required directly to providers, including
providers in Medicaid managed care service delivery areas with health maintenance organizations, prepaid
health plans, or primary care case management models.
General Obligation Bonds and Notes for Border Colonias - S.B. 1296
by Senator Lucio, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Flores
Unscrupulous development and substandard housing conditions along the Texas-Mexico border are
prohibited by state law. However many neighborhoods, known as colonias, were built in this region prior to
1989, and as a result many Texas residents unable to afford improvements continue to live in
neighborhoods without basic services.
Requires the Texas Pubic Finance Authority to take certain actions relating to the issuance of general
obligation bonds and notes and the distribution of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds and notes to aid
counties in roadway improvement projects to serve colonias.
Senate Research Center 25