Bill Text: TX SCR57 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution 57 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Requesting the lieutenant governor and speaker to create a joint interim committee on state health care coverage.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (N/A - Dead) 2019-03-27 - Referred to Business & Commerce [SCR57 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SCR57-Introduced.html

	86R20163 CLE-D

	By: Kolkhorst	S.C.R. No. 57



	CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance reports that while
	the group health insurance market in Texas remains relatively
	stable, the individual market for health insurance continues to
	experience issues with access and affordability; and
	WHEREAS, According to the department's 2018 Biennial Report,
	eight carriers will offer individual major medical plans on the
	federal health exchange in Texas in 2019, compared to 19 carriers in
	2016, and the cost of premiums for most of the plans will increase
	70 to 200 percent compared to the cost in 2014, when Affordable Care
	Act plans first became available; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Insurance further reports
	that Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act encourages innovation
	by allowing states to request a waiver from certain provisions of
	the Act and that new federal guidance provides more flexibility to
	states in applying for such a waiver; and
	WHEREAS, Eight states have received a 1332 innovation waiver
	to increase choice and competition in their individual health
	insurance markets while protecting people with preexisting
	conditions, according to the National Conference of State
	Legislatures; and
	WHEREAS, The National Conference of State Legislatures
	describes an additional waiver of federal law that affects state
	health care coverage under Medicaid; Section 1115 of the Social
	Security Act encourages state experimental demonstrations in
	Medicaid; states have used 1115 demonstration waivers to test a
	wide range of policy approaches, including offering coverage to
	otherwise ineligible populations, providing services not typically
	covered by Medicaid, experimenting with cost sharing and other
	payment reforms, and implementing changes to the delivery system;
	and
	WHEREAS, Innovation in state health care coverage does not
	always require a waiver; some options for achieving greater
	flexibility with current Medicaid funding can be implemented
	directly by states, subject to federal guidelines; and
	WHEREAS, States have been given greater flexibility to foster
	innovation in state health care coverage, and a study would help to
	identify all of the options for improving access to quality health
	care in Texas; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
	hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house
	of representatives to create a joint interim committee on state
	health care coverage; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the committee explore options for improving
	access to quality health care in Texas, including options for
	achieving greater flexibility with current Medicaid funding and for
	using 1115 demonstration waivers and 1332 innovation waivers; and,
	be it further
	RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of four members of
	the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, who shall
	designate one of the members as joint chair, and four members of the
	house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, who
	shall designate one of the members as joint chair; and, be it
	further
	RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
	findings and recommendations, to the 87th Texas Legislature before
	it convenes in January 2021; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be
	governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees
	as the 86th Texas Legislature may adopt.