LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                                May 7, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
               Health
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB616  by Van de Putte (Relating to the establishment of
               a medical assistance pilot program for the management of
               children's asthma.), Committee Report 2nd House, as
               amended
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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The bill would partially implement recommendation HHS 11 from the
Comptroller's e-Texas report.  The bill would direct the Health and
Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop by rule a disease management
pilot program for treating children's asthma.  The Department of Health
(TDH) would administer the pilot program.  It is assumed that TDH could
absorb any new administrative expenses within existing resources.  It is
further assumed that only children already meeting current Medicaid
eligibility requirements would participate in the study, therefore, no
new client services costs would occur.  A research advisory committee
would also be created.  Reimbursement for travel and related expenses
would have to be authorized in the General Appropriations Act.
  
Local Government Impact
  
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts, 501   Texas
                   Department of Health, 529   Health and Human Services
                   Commission
LBB Staff:         JK, HD, SD, KF, PP