LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                              March 15, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Senate Committee on
               Human Services
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB983  by Madla (Relating to a branch office of a home
               health or personal assistance services agency.), As
               Introduced
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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The bill would establish a state standard of 150 miles for distance
between the parent office and branch offices.  A possible impact of this
bill would be a reduction in the number of home health licensed branches
with parent offices beyond a 150 mile radius.  These entities would be
required to register as a parent office.

The Medicare guidelines as promulgated by the Health Care Financing
Administration establish one hour travel time between a parent and
branch office which has been interpreted by the Health Department as a
70 mile radius.
  
Local Government Impact
  
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, TP, AZ, ER