LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 9, 2003

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1202 by Lindsay (Relating to directing the Texas Department of Health to study and report on the use and effectiveness of nurse triage lines. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1202, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($225,684) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004	($181,042)
2005	($44,642)
2006	$0
2007	$0
2008	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GR MATCH FOR MEDICAID 758	Probable (Cost) from FEDERAL FUNDS 555
2004	($181,042)	($181,042)
2005	($44,642)	($44,642)
2006	$0	$0
2007	$0	$0
2008	$0	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would direct the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to study and report on the effectiveness of nurse triage lines.   The bill would also direct TDH to develop a statewide strategic plan on how to maximize the effectiveness and operation of nurse triage lines.

Methodology

The following estimate is based on analysis provided by the Health and Human Services Commission: 

1.  It is estimated that Texas Department of Health would hire 2.0 Full-time-equivalents (FTEs) to perform duties related to the study and report.   Total annual salaries and related expenses would total 89,284 per year. 

2.  A one-time equipment expense in fiscal year 2004 would total $10,300.   

3.  One-time fiscal year 2004 contract expenses would total $250,000 and would be used to: (a) identify the availability of nurse triage lines and determine how to improve marketing of this service, (b) identify any liability issues related to giving advice through a nurse triage line, and (c) determine how nurse triage lines have impacted the use of emergency and trauma rooms in Texas.

4.  It is estimated that expenses would be evenly funded with General Revenue (Match for Medicaid) and Federal (Medicaid) Funds.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

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