LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 30, 2009

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB203 by Shapleigh (Relating to the reporting of MRSA infection rates in hospitals.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add a requirement to Chapter 98 of the Health and Safety Code, Reporting of Health Care-Associated Infections, that a general hospital report on the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphlyococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in any unit in the hospital to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

 

The bill adds an additional reporting requirement that would not result in a significant fiscal impact to DSHS.

 

There is a potential for savings to state programs that provide hospital services, including Medicaid, CHIP, and the health plans that administer benefits to retired and current state employees, if required reporting of MRSA encourages facilities to reduce the incidence of infections.

Local Government Impact

A local governmental entity that owns a hospital could incur costs to meet the reporting requirements.

Source Agencies:

537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, JI, LL, BM