By: Nelson S.B. No. 2128               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the Health and Human Services Commission's procurement   and oversight of managed care organization contracts serving   individuals in Texas Medicaid with serious mental illness.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 533.0071, Texas Government Code, is   amended by adding new subsection "(6)" to read as follows:          " (6) To achieve greater administrative efficiency and the   greatest value for the state, the Health and Human Services   Commission shall evaluate and strengthen its current procurement   process for managed care. This may include simultaneously procuring   multiple managed care products.           The agency shall develop metrics to better hold managed care   companies accountable for care of enrollees with serious mental   illness, which may include development and procurement of a   separate managed care program in at least one service area of the   state aimed at serving individuals with serious mental illness, as   defined by Section 1355.001, Texas Insurance Code.           The Health and Human Services Commission shall measure   performance of all managed care programs per Government Code,   536.003 and by using other measures that support a continuous   quality improvement process and establish accountability at the   managed care organization and provider level for performance   improvement and cost control. Measures should include national   industry standard performance measures for integrated care, jail   and emergency department diversion, post-release linkage to care,   homelessness reduction, supportive housing, and medication   adherence. Metrics also must demonstrate improved outcomes and   integration of care and enhanced cost control against an   established baseline measurement for the target population of   individuals with serious mental illness.           If necessary, the Health and Human Services Commission may   extend existing managed care contracts to establish a uniform   expiration date, provided it does so in a manner consistent with   Texas Government Code section 2155.144(c)."          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.