LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 13, 2011

TO:
Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB871 by Davis, Yvonne (Relating to indigent health care services provided by a county.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Section 61.028 of the Health and Safety Code to require a county to provide physical and occupational therapy services as part of their indigent health care services within areas not serviced by either public hospitals or hospital districts.

The executive director of the Health and Human Services Commission would be required to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 61.028 not later than December 1, 2011. A county would not be required to provide physical and occupational therapy services before January 1, 2012.

It is assumed that any costs associated with rule-making could be absorbed within existing resources.


Local Government Impact

The cost to counties would vary depending on whether a county already provides the services that would be required under the provisions of the bill and whether a public hospital or hospital district exists within the county. The level of demand for the services (number of indigent persons in need of physical or occupational therapy) would not have an effect on the fiscal impact, because to provide the services, it is assumed a county would have to have the services available regardless. Therefore, this analysis assumes that, at a minimum, a county that would be required to provide these services would have to employ one physical therapist, one occupational therapist, and possibly one support staff, plus pay for necessary equipment and supplies, and the space for a facility.
 
The negative fiscal impact could be significant to those counties not currently providing physical and occupational therapy and in which there is neither a public hospital nor a hospital district, or, if there is a hospital district, it covers only a portion of the county.
 
There would be no fiscal impact to a county that already provides the services or in which a public hospital or a hospital district is located.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, KKR, TP