Legislative Update

The 80th Texas Legislature came to a close on May 28, 2007. As a result of legislation, several health initiatives will begin September 1, 2007. Among these initiatives are increasing provider reimbursement rates, expansion of Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS), and HPV/cervical cancer education campaigns. CHS staff are currently reviewing legislation to determine the appropriate method to operationalize each of the legislative mandates.

Updated Riders

Several of the riders in the 79th legislative state budget (HB 1) were revised in the 80th HB 1.

Primary Health Care:
Rider 45 requires Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that receive funds under this section to operate extended weekend and evening hours.

County Indigent Health Care Program:
Rider 55 reduces the amount that any one county can receive in state assistance for the County Indigent Health Care Program.

Family Planning:
Rider 60 requires DSHS to ensure that funding allocations do not adversely affect the number of clients served, especially in counties where there is no FQHC available.

In addition to the riders from previous sessions, HB 1 has several new riders that will affect CHS and DSHS contractors.

Family Planning:
Rider 70 requires DSHS to reimburse Family Planning contractors for services provided to WHP clients that are not currently covered under WHP and to conduct education and outreach on WHP. Rider 77 implements the court-ordered requirements for family planning affiliates to comply and therefore maintain their Family Planning funding.

Epilepsy:
Rider 78 directs DSHS to increase funding for the expansion of epilepsy services.

Provider Reimbursement Restoration:
Rider 79 restored Children with Special Health Care Needs, Family Planning and Women and Child’s Health provider reimbursement rates to the 2003 levels, an increase of 2.5%.

BCCS expansion

HB 1 and SB 10 both give legislative direction to expand services for breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment. HB 1 appropriates an additional $5.2 million to DSHS for the expansion of BCCS. HHSC will receive an additional $14.5 million for the expansion of Medicaid Breast and Cervical Prevention and Treatment Act (BCPTA). BCCS will expand to screen more women in Texas and HHSC will enroll additional women into BCPTA. SB 10 allows any individual, eligible for Medicaid and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer to receive treatment under Medicaid.

HPV education campaigns

HB 1098 and HB 1379 address the link between HPV and cervical cancer. HB 1098 directs HHSC to provide education materials to parents at the appropriate time. HB 1379 mandates DSHS to develop educational materials on HPV and cervical cancer. DSHS will develop and distribute informational materials on the HPV vaccine, develop and maintain a website for the public and health care professionals, and collaborate with the Texas Cancer Council on an educational campaign for parents on the link between HPV and cervical cancer.

All in all, CHS will be very busy over the next year implementing these new initiatives for the new biennium.

FY08-09 Appropriations bill can be found at www.lbb.state.tx.us.
All other legislation can be found at www.capitol.state.tx.us.

For more information, Contact:
Imelda Garcia, Legislative Liaison
Community Health Services Section
(512) 458-7111 x6633