Texas Legislative Panel to Examine Costs of Medicaid and CHIP

Leaders of the Texas House and Senate on Sept. 7 named an interim joint legislative panel to study the "impact" of the Medicaid and CHIP programs on the state budget and offer recommendations for potential ways to curb costs, the Houston Chronicle reports. The programs currently account for $26.7 billion of the state's $113.8 billion budget. "The cost of health care is driving the Texas state budget harder, higher and faster than any other item," Lt. Gov Bill Ratliff (R) said, adding, "We must find a way to corral the costs while we continue to provide the services Texans need." The committee, which Democrats Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Rep. Patty Gray will chair, is tasked with examining the cost of 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP; "monitor[ing] a new law" enabling state agencies to "share in bulk purchasing" of prescription drugs; and monitoring the effects of a bill passed earlier this year simplifying the Medicaid enrollment process. The Chronicle reports that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is currently negotiating with health plans that participate in CHIP about higher premiums (Hughes, Houston Chronicle, 9/8). For further information on state health policy in Texas, visit State Health Facts Online.