Bill: HB 3196, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Four Price

Bill Caption

Relating to licensing, certification, and arbitration requirements for certain health facilities and to the allocation of Medicaid beds in those facilities.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3196, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a positive impact of $809,186 through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Summary: The federal government gives each state an allotment of nursing home beds that will be paid with by Medicaid. It is up to the state to determine how those bed credits are distributed among nursing homes. HB 3196 would require individuals who wish to apply for these bed credits to prove their intent to build a nursing home. Proof would be shown by the existence of a $500,000 performance bond.

Also, HB 3196 would alter the licensing process by changing it from an annual certificate to a 3-year certification. Additionally, the fee would be reduced from $250 annually to $375 every 3 years.

Analysis: HB 3196 represents a proper form of regulation. Because the Medicaid nursing home bed program is a government program, the government has a duty to guard against misuse of public funds. This legislation will help curb some practices that drive up the cost of Medicaid, and thus drive up the cost to taxpayers. Also, the provisions reducing the annual cost of fees and lengthening the period between renewals would limit government. We support this legislation.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 09:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb3196?print_view=true