According to the article “Senate Approves Healthcare Savings Bill” found on The Cherokeean website, Texas could save about half a billion dollars in healthcare spending over the next few years under a bill passed by the Senate last week.  This could mean big changes for Medicaid and Individual health insurance Texas.

The bill came out of work done by Flower Mound Senator Jane Nelson’s Subcommitee on Medicaid.  Through this group’s efforts, they found possible savings in the program of about $3 billion from rule changes and other non-statuary requirements.  To achieve these impressive savings, this bill would expand Medicaid managed care and move prescription drug benefits into managed care and expanding it throughout south Texas.  It also would shut down the State Kids Insurance Program and shift eligible children to the federal program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  This will bring down costs while not cutting benefits for deserving children.

The bill intends to make a number of other changes to personal attendant services, electronic visit verification for the Department of Aging including Disability Services.  They hope to do so without any interruption in quality service.  If successful, this bill could mean big changes for Texas health insurance and should impact many residents positively.  Bills are to head to the House for consideration soon.