June 8, 2011
Today the House passed the committee substitute to SB 7 (otherwise known as the “new” SB 23 from the last regular session) to third reading. The bill includes language regarding Medicaid managed care expansion in South Texas, Medicaid managed care contracting and other operational issues such as quality-based payment and cost containment initiatives. SB 7 is the fiscal matters bill relating to Article II, the health and human services part of HB 1 (82nd R). It is one of the “must pass” fiscal matters bills necessary to achieve savings assumed savings in HB 1 (82nd R).
The bill received 26 floor amendments. Some of the amendments adopted include language from other bills such as:
- Amendment by Kolkhorst – HB 5 relating to the Interstate Health Care Compact
- Amendment by Kolkhorst – HB 13 which requires the executive commissioner of HHSC to seek a waiver to the state Medicaid plan.
The committee substitute to SB 7 as amended was passed to third reading with 91 ayes and 47 nays.