HBA-MSH H.B. 3385 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3385 By: Kitchen Public Health 3/27/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 76th Legislature placed a moratorium on the implementation of new Medicaid managed care pilot programs and Medicaid behavioral health pilot programs. The moratorium is set to expire July 1, 2001. The Medicaid Star + Plus pilot project is designed to integrate delivery of acute and long-term care services through a managed care system. The project currently serves approximately 55,000 elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients in Harris County. The goal of Star + Plus programs is to support individuals in the community and reduce reliance on more expensive hospital and institutional care. House Bill 3385 ends the moratorium on implementation of the Medicaid managed care pilot programs and requires HHSC to implement a Medicaid Star + Plus pilot project at least in two regions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 3385 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to implement Medicaid Star + Plus pilot programs in at least two regions in which HHSC is currently operating a Medicaid managed care pilot program. The bill removes provisions that prohibit the implementation of certain Medicaid managed care pilot programs and Medicaid behavioral health pilot programs until July 1, 2001. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.