An advisory committee selected by Albert Hawkins, executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, will conduct a study and submit recommendations to the next session of the Legislature on Indigent Health Care programs. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 44 sponsored by Senator Nelson and Representative Delisi, the advisory committee will file its report by Nov. 1, 2006.
The legislation mandates that the advisory committee:
(1) Conduct a feasibility study and develop recommendations regarding the implementation of a pilot program for the regionalization of county indigent health care services and assistance and hospital district services and assistance.
(2) Review and propose recommendations for legislation updating indigent health care and treatment under this chapter, including:
(A) health care services provided under Subchapter B;
(B) differences in eligibility requirements for and health care services provided by:
(i) a county under Subchapter B;
(ii) a hospital district under Subchapter C;
(C) allocation method used for distributing state assistance funds; and
(D) county reporting requirements and enforcement by the department; and
(3) Identify other areas or subjects related to indigent health care that the advisory committee could review or study.
The Legislature’s instructions to the committee have raised concerns that the results may be pre-determined by emphasizing a regional approach to indigent health care. Counties should be prepared to present testimony on the importance of local control of this mandated service.
The committee hearings will present another opportunity to stress the need for greater access to federal matching funds for indigent health care. When the hearings are scheduled, notice will be forwarded to commissioners court members.
For more information, please call me at 1-800-733-0699.
Jim Allison, General Counsel CJCAT