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Relating to a competitive and integrated employment initiative for certain Medicaid Recipients.
The fiscal implications of the bill, relating to a
competitive and integrated employment initiative of certain Medicaid
recipients, cannot be determined at this time.
The
Health and Human Services Commission is required to implement provisions of
this Act only if the legislature appropriates money to the commission
specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money
specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to,
implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations that are available
for that purpose. If additional appropriations are not provided, the number of
persons served in the waiver program may be reduced.
According
to HHSC, the provisions of the bill would require employment services be provided
to additional waiver recipients. While there would be a significant cost to
provide the services, HHSC is unable to provide a specific estimate because the
actual cost per client would vary, and there could be offsets for reductions in
other services. With the exception of the STAR+PLUS home and community-based
services waiver program, the programs targeted by the bill are not
entitlements. If additional appropriations are not provided, the cost of
providing additional services would be offset by serving fewer clients in the
programs.
SB 50 would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a uniform process to ensure that individuals who are enrolled in Medical Assistance programs under the 1915 waiver program are able to participate in workforce development programs. SB 50 would ensure that plan of care includes workplace development so that the individual can find gainful employment as a part of their healthcare plans.
SB 50 would apply only to an individual receiving services under the 1915(c) waiver program under the home and community-based services (HCS) waiver, the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program, the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities (DBMD) program, the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program, and the STAR+Plus home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program.
Considering that much of this bill would codify existing TWC practice and that much of the cost would likely be offset by savings elsewhere, Texas Action remains neutral on SB 50.