Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB871 by Davis, Yvonne (Relating to indigent health care services that may be provided by a county.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Section 61.038(b) of the Health and Safety Code to change the state assistance reimbursement rate for eligible county health care expenditures from 90 percent to an amount equal to that of the actual payment for such services.
According to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the agency currently provides reimbursement at 100 percent of the actual payment up to the budgeted amount available; therefore, the only fiscal impact to DSHS would be the need to update program policy.
The bill would authorize a county to provide physical and occupational therapy if the county determines those services to be cost-effective.
The bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 61.0285 of the Health and Safety Code, as amended by provisions of the bill, as soon as practicable after the effective date of the bill. The bill would take effect immediately if it were to receive the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
The bill would provide increased revenues to counties which would vary depending on the amount spent by a given county on health care services described by the bill.
It is assumed that a county would implement physical and occupational therapy services if the costs could be absorbed within existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.