Bill Caption

Relating to the process for determining the Medicaid eligibility of certain former foster care youth. 

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 1059, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a NEGATIVE impact of ($717,281) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. 

The Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Family and Protective Services are required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission and the department may, but are not required to, implement the Act using other appropriations available for the purpose. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1059 would require the Health and Human Services Commission, in consultation with the Department of Family and protective Services, to design and implement a streamlined process for determining a former foster care youth's eligibility for Medicaid. This process would have to:

• provide for the automatic enrollment and recertification of former foster care youth in appropriate Medicaid programs; 
• be designed to prevent any unnecessary interruption of the youth's Medicaid benefits; and 
• if recertification is required by federal law, use a simple application and recertification process. 

SB 1059 was amended in the House Human Services Committee to ensure that the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Health and Human Services Commission are required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose, however if no appropriation is made, the department and commission would be able to use other appropriations that are available to carry out this act. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Youth who age out of foster care are eligible for Medicaid coverage up to the age of 26 through the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program. SB 1059 would seek to remove any lapse in coverage that comes from the complicated certification and recertification requirement. Texas Action is neutral on SB 1059.