LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 26, 2007

TO:	Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB480 by Jackson, Jim (Relating to the minimum eligibility standards adopted by this state for use in determining eligibility for indigent health care.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB480, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($50,467,191) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.

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
2008	($25,290,491)
2009	($25,176,700)
2010	($25,176,700)
2011	($25,176,700)
2012	($25,176,700)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2008	($25,290,491)
2009	($25,176,700)
2010	($25,176,700)
2011	($25,176,700)
2012	($25,176,700)

Fiscal Year	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2007
2008	5.0
2009	5.0
2010	5.0
2011	5.0
2012	5.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would increase the net income eligibility level for the County Indigent Health Care program from 21 to 100 percent of the federal poverty level.

Methodology

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) estimates an annual cost of $24,729,519 in General Revenue due to increasing the minimum income eligibility standard for the County Indigent Health Care program. Due to this change, DSHS estimates 107 additional counties would qualify for state assistance under the program at an average cost per county of $231,117.

 

DSHS estimates an annual cost of $552,772 in General Revenue in fiscal year 2008 and $443,481 in fiscal years 2009-2012 for salaries and other administrative costs for 5 additional Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) positions. These FTEs would conduct quality assurance reviews and provide training, technical assistance, and financial oversight and monitoring.

Technology

DSHS estimates annual costs of $8,200 in fiscal year 2008 and $3,700 in fiscal years 2009-2012 for computer software and hardware.

Local Government Impact

The bill would increase the minimum income eligibility standard for the County Indigent Health Care program, which would result in an estimated 107 additional counties qualifying for state assistance. 

Source Agencies:

537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, PP, SSt