LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 9, 2007

TO:	Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2855 by Davis, John (Relating to consumer access to health care information; imposing penalties.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2855, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($112,500) 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	$0
2009	($112,500)
2010	($112,500)
2011	($112,500)
2012	($112,500)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Revenue (Loss) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2008	$0
2009	($112,500)
2010	($112,500)
2011	($112,500)
2012	($112,500)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to publish on its website health care facility outcome data and health benefit plan data. It is assumed DSHS could absorb within its existing budget any costs to making this information available.

The bill would provide for penalties, including administrative penalties, for health care facilities for violations of certain provisions of the bill. It is assumed the penalties would not have a significant fiscal impact.

The bill would authorize the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to adopt and enforce rules. It is assumed any costs related to rule-making authority could be absorbed within the existing budget of HHSC. 

Methodology

DSHS estimates a potential revenue loss of $112,500 in General Revenue per fiscal year. Currently, DSHS collects approximately $225,000 annually for the sale of data. DSHS estimates a reduction in data sales of 50 percent due to the data being available on the internet. It is assumed the revenue loss would begin in fiscal year 2009, because the bill would allow DSHS time to make the required information available on its website during fiscal year 2008.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, PP, SSt