LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session Revision 1 March 30, 1999 TO: Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Senate Committee on Human Services FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1138 by Wentworth (Relating to assistance funds for mandatory health care services provided in certain counties.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** The bill would allow city/county-owned hospitals to become eligible to participate in the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) and receive state matching funds if they spend in excess of their counties' 10 percent general revenue levy for mandated health services. In addition, the hospitals would be allowed to set eligibility criteria at levels higher than the current policy, which is tied to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility. According to the Department of Health, there are two entities that would become eligible for assistance under this bill, Guadalupe and Medina counties. The department states that Medina county has not spent in excess of 10 percent of the general revenue levy on eligible health services in recent years and therefore inclusion of this county in the program would not result in a probably fiscal impact. It is assumed that participation by Guadalupe county in the program would result in an increased expenditure by the CIHCP of no more than $74,560 per fiscal year. It is anticipated that this increase can be absorbed by the Department of Health within existing resources. Local Government Impact This bill could result in a revenue gain to Guadalupe county and possibly other counties that have a city/county-owned hospital. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, TP, KF