LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 4, 2003

TO:
Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on State Health Care Expenditures, Select
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB240 by Averitt (Relating to the enrollment of certain children and recipients of medical assistance in group health benefit plans.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


The bill would change the name of the Health Insurance Premium Payment Reimbursement Program for Children Eligible for Child Health Plan to the Health Insurance Premium Assistance Program for Children Eligible for Child Health Plan, and revise the operational requirements of the program.  (The Child Health Plan refers to the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP.)  The Health Insurance Premium Assistance Program allows the state to purchase employer-based insurance coverage for children who are CHIP-eligible if "premium assistance" is determined to be cost-effective compared to providing health insurance solely through CHIP.  The bill would also replace references to the Department of Health with references to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

 

HHSC indicates that revisions to program requirements would align state law with the commission's waiver proposal to the federal government.  HHSC also estimates there would be no significant fiscal impact to the agency and to the state.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 501 Department of Health, 529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff:
JK, EB, RR, PP