LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 15, 2003

TO:
Honorable Carlos Uresti, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB245 by Zaffirini (Relating to the provision of respiratory therapy services under the medical assistance program.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


The bill would direct the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to require by rule the provision of respiratory therapy services for ventilator dependent persons by a respiratory therapist for a Medicaid recipient when:  respiratory therapy is determined by the recipient's treating physician to be the most effective method of treatment, and the use of a respiratory therapist is practicable and cost-neutral or cost-effective.  The bill would direct HHSC or the appropriate Medicaid-operating agency to adopt rules no later than December 1, 2003.

HHSC interprets the bill as not increasing the number of Medicaid clients who would be eligible for the provision of respiratory therapy services for ventilator dependent persons, and therefore estimates that the bill would have no significant fiscal impact. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff:
JK, JO, EB, PP