Bill

SB 200

84(R) - 2015
Senate Health & Human Services
Senate Health & Human Services
Government Efficiency & Reform
Health & Human Services

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Jane Nelson

Bill Caption

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Health and Human Services Commission and the provision of health and human services in this state.

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the lack of information necessary to make accurate assumptions to determine a fiscal impact. 

Based on the analysis provided by HHSC, the cost or savings of the provisions of this bill in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 cannot be determined; there are both costs and savings that would be incurred over this period, and therefore some elements will net out.  HHSC anticipates costs and savings throughout the implementation and operational (maintenance) years.  Costs are expected by HHSC to exceed savings until after fiscal year 2020. 

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

5/22/15 Update:

This bill was amended in the Senate chamber in a way that would not change our vote yes recommendation. The original and updated analyses are below. The second chamber sponsor is Representative Price.

The passage of HB 2292 in 2003 required the consolidation of twelve health and human service agencies down to five in order to reduce costs and improve service delivery. However, several state agencies were resistant to change and continued to function as they had prior to HB 2292, and the reorganization fell short of achieving the Legislature’s goals. The Sunset process has afforded this Legislature a chance to complete the vision of HB 2292 by introducing SB 200.

Original chamber analysis below:

This legislation would implement some of the Sunset Advisory Commission’s recommendations concerning the consolidation of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) enterprise from five agencies down to a single regulatory agency with divisions organized according to function. This consolidation would take place by September 1, 2016, except the child and adult protective services functions at the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS, and the public health and data collection functions at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would be consolidated by September 1, 2019. The bill would continue the consolidated health and human service agency for 12 years and would require a limited-scope review by the Sunset Advisory Commission related to progress of the reorganization in 2023. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2015.

Furthermore, the bill would do the following:

  • Remove statutory barriers to system-wide oversight of information technology and audit functions.
  • Require HHSC to create an approval process and standard criteria for all system websites and policies governing hotlines and call centers.
  • Require HHSC to assist with Medicaid eligibility statewide.
  • Require HHSC to streamline the Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing process.
  • Require the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to complete provider criminal background checks on providers who have not previously been reviewed by a licensing board.
  • Remove a myriad of advisory committees from statute and authorize HHSC to reconstitute advisory groups to address major topic areas such as behavioral health and regulatory matters.
  • Combine the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee and the Drug Utilization Review Board.

Updated second chamber analysis below:

In addition to the first paragraph in the original bill analysis, the bill would require the executive commissioner of HHSC to plan and implement a centralized system of administrative support services for the health and human services system. After consulting with the affected state agencies and divisions, the executive commissioner would be required to oversee the transfer and consolidation of administrative support services functions to the health and human services system.

The bill would authorize the continuation of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) until September 1, 2023.

The bill would require the executive commissioner to conduct a study and submit a report and recommendation to the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee regarding the need to continue the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Department of State Health Services separate from the commission.

Furthermore, the bill would do the following:

  • Remove statutory barriers to system-wide oversight of information technology and audit functions.
  • Require HHSC to create an approval process and standard criteria for all system websites and policies governing hotlines and call centers.
  • Require HHSC to assist with Medicaid eligibility statewide.
  • Require HHSC to streamline the Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing process.
  • Require the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to complete provider criminal background checks on providers who have not previously been reviewed by a licensing board.
  • Remove a myriad of advisory committees from statute and require HHSC to reconstitute advisory groups to address major topic areas such as behavioral health and regulatory matters.
  • Combine the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee and the Drug Utilization Review Board.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 200 serves as the road map for partially completing the consolidation of the delivery of health and human services in Texas that HB 2292 originally envisioned. Many other sunset bills concerning the Department of Aging and Disability Services and State Supported Living Center consolidation are contingent upon the passage of SB 200.

While the continuation of DFPS and DSHS as independent agencies apart from HHSC is not ideal, we recognize the bill would transfer several non-core functions to HHSC. Thus, we support SB 200 because it promotes government efficiency and reform within the HHSC system.

For an extensive analysis on SB 200, interested parties may wish to read a report provided by the Texas Public Policy Foundation which testified in favor of this legislation.

Organizations Supporting

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Organizations Opposed

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Texas