On November 23rd the Joint Senate State Affairs and Health and Human Services Committee Hearing took up the following interim charge:
1: Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry, study the implications of such legislation on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs.
Discussion during the hearing revolved around the creation of the healthcare exchange that must be up and running by 2014. It is unclear whether or not it would be most beneficial to Texas to create their own exchange or let the federal government create the exchange. It was pointed out that even with the creation of the exchange, an estimated 2.3 million Texans will still be uninsured and will be the responsibility of local governments. There was also discussion on the opt-out report that had not been released at the time, but has since been published.
A complete copy of the report and handouts from the hearing can be accessed by HillCo Clients at the following link: http://login.hillcopartners.com/node/847