Methodist Healthcare Ministries

Budget

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) “Economic Stimulus Funds”

The ARRA appropriates $19 billion to the Texas Legislature to supplement the state budget. There are additional ARRA monies that come directly to state agencies, or that cities and counties can access through grants.

ARRA funds to the states must be used to “supplement versus supplant” state programs. There are interpretation discrepancies of “supplement vs. supplant” within the Texas budget. Texas was warned that some budget items are bordering on “supplant.” Federal rules providing guidelines/parameters will be issued May 15th, just two weeks before the Texas session ends. If the interpretation discrepancies are too great, there may be a special session for the budget.

The Senate and House adopted their respective versions of the state budget. A conference committee with Senate and House budget members will be appointed to negotiate the final budget.

Advocacy Opportunities

Methodist Healthcare Ministries will spearhead a “Call to Action” for health care issues including:

Twelve months for Medicaid (in House, but not Senate budget).
Enrolling 750,000 children eligible, but not enrolled in CHIP or Medicaid (neither budget).

The above items could be funded through ARRA, as it appropriates $5.5 billion for Texas Medicaid.

Legislation

Most of the bills that reflect MHMs agenda are in committee and some have been voted out. The following are examples of bills that we are monitoring:

Children’s Health: The 12 months Medicaid eligibility was included in the House budget, but not the Senate budget. It will go to conference committee. For more information on other bills see:
http://texasimpact.org/kidshealthbills09

Youth Mental Health: A House committee voted favorably for a bill (HB 441) to provide continuity of care for youth with mental illness who are discharged from the Texas Youth Commission. For more information on this and other bills see:
http://www.texanscareforchildren.org/

Prevention of Obesity and Diabetes: The House passed a bill (HB 482) for a program to increase the availability of fresh produce to low-income individuals. A Senate committee voted favorably for a bill (HB482) creating an Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Interagency Council. For information on these and other bills see:
http://partnershipforahealthytexas.org/

Nursing Shortage: The House passed a nursing shortage reduction bill (HB 4471) that would provide grants toward hiring nursing faculty at some nursing schools. For information on this and other bills, click here.

Other

MHM and ACCION Texas held a press conference to highlight barriers to accessing health care for micro-enterprises. Eighty-nine percent of all Texas businesses are micro-enterprises.

CURRENT ISSUES