LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 22, 2003

TO:	Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB309 by Gallegos (Relating to the authority of certain hospital districts to provide services to certain persons. ), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to allow certain hospital districts to provide nonemergency medical treatment and care to a person who would otherwise be ineligible for treatment because of immigration status as long as the treatment and care are provided using local money and the district establishes a cost-sharing system for persons receiving the treatment and care. Additionally, for the purposes of determining eligibility for treatment of indigent or needy persons based on residency within the district, a person may not be considered a resident of the district if they established residency solely to obtain medical or hospital care from the district.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.

The hospital districts that would be affected are those in a county with a population of at least 190,000.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JK, EB, DLBa