LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 15, 2003

TO:	Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2536 by Uresti (Relating to admission of certain nonresident patients to state chest hospitals.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend various sections of the Health and Safety Code relating to admission of non-resident patients to state chest hospitals. The bill would allow a person with tuberculosis (TB), who is not a resident of this state to be admitted to a state chest hospital, and authorizing a physician to issue a certificate relating to that person’s health condition. The bill would establish guidelines enabling the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to enter in to agreements with another state relating to treatment and payment for treatment of non-residents who are admitted to state chest hospitals. Under provisions of the bill, the attorney general, at the request of TDH, would be required to file a copy of an order, issued by another state, of commitment of a person to a healthcare facility, in the manner provided for by Chapter 35 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code. This Act takes effect on September 1, 2003.

 

Section 13.046 (2) specifies that the state where the patient resides is responsible for paying the costs of hospitalization and treatment.  Therefore, TDH indicates there would be no fiscal impact to the State of Texas.  States that arrange for Texas to treat their residents who have TB will reimburse Texas for the full cost of the treatment.

The Office of the Attorney General anticipates that current resources could absorb any additional work as a result of the passage of this legislation.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	302 Office of the Attorney General, 501 Department of Health
LBB Staff:	JK, KF, EB