LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 14, 2003

TO:	Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB833 by Hochberg (Relating to certain pharmaceutical services for an injured employee receiving workers' compensation medical benefits.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill amends the Labor Code to allow an injured employee to purchase a brand name drug rather than a generic pharmaceutical medication or over-the-counter alternative if the prescribing doctor prescribes a brand name drug or generic drug for the employee.  The employee could not seek reimbursement for this voluntary action. 

The Texas Workers' Compensation Commission indicates that passage of the bill would have a $2,500 one-time cost to the agency.  It is assumed that the costs associated with the bill could be reasonably absorbed with current resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

453 Workers' Compensation Commission, 478 Research and Oversight Council on Workers' Compensation

LBB Staff:

JK, RR, JRO, RT, JW