The filing deadline for legislation in the 83rd Texas Legislature is coming up fast. There are two new bills that have been filed that have implications for the intellectual and developmental disability community. The first is a relatively short bill by state Senator Rodriguez, the second is a very long bill by state Representative Raymond.
Senator Rodriguez has previously filed two important bills on the state supported living centers. One, SB 729, would establish a realignment commission for the centers. Another, SB 1045, would allow for the system to be evaluated. Both bills are important bills. On the 7th, Senator Rodriguez filed SB 1361, which is a bill of rights for people receiving Medicaid long-term services and supports. This bill is important especially in regard to the changes to the system that are in progress via legislation. The bill begins with the statement that: “It is the policy of this state that, to the extent provided by state or federal law or policy, each recipient of Medicaid long-term services and supports under a state benefits program has the right…” It goes on the list things like living independently, control the recipient’s own life, receive the supports necessary for competitive employment, be a participant in designing/implementing/monitoring the outcomes and effectiveness of delivery systems, receive services that are based on their individualized needs, receive services that are monitored for quality, to receive services that are effectively coordinated, and that allow individuals to retain their existing providers. Some of this bill is philosophy, which is fine, but some of it would provide some safeguards especially in light of the possible shift over to managed care.
Representative Raymond, who is the chair of the House’s Human Services committee, filed HB 2721. Essentially this is the House’s version of Senate Bill 7, which would shift the acute and long-term services and supports for the waiver recipients (HCS, CLASS, TxHmL, and DBMD waivers) over to managed care. Like SB7, the bill has great intentions. The goals include provide services to more individuals in a cost-effective manner, improve access to services, promote person-centered planning, integrate service coordination, promote high-quality care, etc. Like SB7, this is a huge bill and will have a major impact on people with IDD and their families.
Let me begin with the things that I like about this bill. First, there are extensive stakeholder input requirements in the bill:
• Like SB7, it would establish a system redesign advisory committee that would include stakeholders. This committee has an important role all through the process, basically up until 2024.
• Like SB7, the state will roll out pilot programs to test the concept. Stakeholder input is required on the pilot programs.
• HHSC is required to receive and evaluate stakeholder input when transitioning each of the waivers over to managed care.
• Stakeholder input is required for developing a quality-based payment plan to providers.
Second, the bill emphasizes the need to ensure there is continuity of care when transitioning from the old waiver programs to the new managed care approach. Third, when discussing acute services, the bill states that HHSC will use STAR+PLUS “or the most appropriate integrated capitated managed care program delivery model.” So there is some wiggle room on using STAR+PLUS. Fourth, the bill mentions implementing basic attendant and habilitation services. Fifth, and this is needed, the bill will establish specialized training for family members/caregivers/providers of people with IDD that are at risk of institutionalization and behavioral intervention teams to help prevent institutionalization. Finally, the bill provides for a wellness screening program to help prevent diseases.
So there are some things to like about HB 2721. There are also concerns. It’s a huge bill and a sweeping change and the Devil is always in the details. People with IDD have complex, varied needs. No two are the same, it’s more complicated than breaking a leg. It’s also something that cannot be fixed or treated, it requires a life-long, continuous approach to services. It’s unclear how effective any managed care organization is going to be. The current system is incredibly complex to navigate, add transition and having to learn a new system on top of that and family members will be confused and overwhelmed.
Some version of this bill or SB 7 will probably pass and become the future. With that in mind, input is critical at every step of the process. That starts now by contacting your legislators. That continues by having strong advocates on the system redesign committee and by providing input in every way possible about concerns and experiences. It must be kept in mind that the people drafting the legislation and eventually the rules and procedures don’t have first-hand experience with this system and don’t understand how complex the services are for individuals with IDD. As a result it’s very important to educate them about this.
Regarding Senator Rodriguez’s bills, they will have to pass through the Senate Health and Human Services committee. Below is the link to that committee, listing every member of the committee. Contact them about your thoughts on these bills:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=83R&CmteCode=C610
Regarding HB 2721, this will pass through the House Human Services committee. The link is below, again contact each member about your thoughts:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=83R&CmteCode=C310
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