TX-Senate Passes Medicaid Savings Bill

The Texas Senate approved a Medicaid savings bill (S.B. 23) on April 28, 2011. The bill attempts to find extensive cost savings in Texas' Medicaid program. The legislation would expand Medicaid managed care into South Texas and is expected to save the state $290 million over two years. It pulls prescription drug sales into the managed care program and requires most Medicaid patients to use medicines on a state preferred drug list, at a projected savings of $51 million over two years. The bill also would ensure that people with disabilities, receiving attendant care services at home, are using a Medicaid contractor--saving an estimated $28 million over two years.