Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB271 by Miller (Relating to the establishment of the Veterans Recovery Pilot Program to provide certain veterans with hyperbaric oxygen treatment.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would add a chapter to the Health and Safety Code to establish the Veterans Recovery Pilot Program to provide certain veterans with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would be authorized to operate the pilot program, which would provide diagnostic services, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and support services free of charge to eligible Texas veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury. HHSC would be authorized to appoint an advisory board.
The bill would create the Veterans Recovery Account, a dedicated account in the general revenue fund, funded with gifts, grants, donations, and interest earned on funds in the account. Funds in the account would be expended only for administration of the Veterans Recovery Program, including eligible veterans' travel and living expenses, if travel for treatment is necessary. Facilities providing the medical care would be required to submit a treatment plan to be approved by HHSC in order to be eligible for reimbursement. HHSC may not operate the pilot program if there are insufficient funds in the veterans recovery account. HHSC would be required to submit a biennial evaluation of the program to the legislature. The chapter would expire September 1, 2023.
This legislation would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
Since HHSC may not operate the pilot program if sufficient funds are not available in the Veterans Recovery Account, this analysis assumes the pilot would be operated on an insignificant scale.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
403 Veterans Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission