LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 14, 2009

TO:	Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1500 by Duncan (Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, regarding the Dallas County Hospital District and its employment of health care providers and physicians.

The bill would add Subchapter E to Chapter 311 of the Health and Safety Code to authorize certain hospitals to employ a physician and retain all or part of the professional income generated by the physician for medical services provided at the hospital. The bill would set forth policies and bylaws required of the hospitals.

The bill would amend the Occupations Code related to requirements of the Texas Medical Board regarding certification of a health organization and would allow the board to charge a reasonable fee as necessary for the certification of an organization and for the investigation, review, and enforcement of the organization's compliance with applicable statutes.

Based on analysis by the Texas Medical Board, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

Local Government Impact

According to the Texas Hospital Association, provisions of the bill would provide a significant positive fiscal impact to the applicable hospitals.

Source Agencies:

503 Texas Medical Board

LBB Staff:

JOB, DB, NV