Higher Texas Medicaid, SCHIP Enrollment Could Cost $1.28B Over 2 Years

A projected 300,000-person enrollment increase in Texas' Medicaid and SCHIP programs could cost the state $1.28 billion over two years, according to figures released Monday by state Health and Human Services Commission officials, the Austin American-Statesman reports. The estimated enrollment growth would amount to a 9% increase in Medicaid beneficiaries and an 11% increase in SCHIP enrollees. State HHSC Executive Director Albert Hawkins attributed the anticipated SCHIP enrollment increase to growth in the state's child population. The state Legislature last session in an effort to reduce a $10 billion budget shortfall enacted more restrictive eligibility requirements for SCHIP to decrease program enrollment. Some of the newer requirements, such as a shorter enrollment period, will expire in 2005. In addition, state legislators this session are expected to decide whether to increase reimbursements to doctors and hospitals treating Medicaid beneficiaries. Legislators last year voted to reduce such payments. State Senate Finance Committee Chair Steve Ogden (R) said he expects the Legislature to restore and possibly make a "modest" increase to Medicaid payments (Embry, Austin American-Statesman, 10/18).