LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 12, 2007

TO:	Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair, House Committee on Appropriations
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1793 by Veasey (Relating to eligibility for hospital charity care.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to change from 200 percent to 300 percent as the maximum percentage of the federal proverty guidelines a hospital may use when establishing a hospital elgibility system for determining if a patient is eligible for charity care.

The change in statute would apply to care provided on or after the effective date of the bill, which would be September 1, 2007.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact would depend on what percentage level a hospital would choose to use and the number of eligible patients served. It is assumed that a government-owned/operated hospital or hospital district would conduct a financial analysis before changing the formula it uses and would make the change only if resources would allow.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, CT, DB