Honorable Brandon Creighton, Chair, Senate Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1592 by Smithee (Relating to health care professional liability coverage for certain public institutions of higher education.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
It is assumed that the provisions of the bill relating to professional liability coverage for health care professionals affiliated with components of The University of Texas System, the Texas A&M University System, the Texas Tech University System, the Texas State University System, the University of Houston System, the University of North Texas System, and Stephen F. Austin State University could be absorbed using existing resources.
The provision of the bill that expands the definition of health care professionals eligible to participate in liability insurance could increase the membership of self-insurance plans offered by certain institutions of higher education to include physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and health professions students, including those appointed or volunteering on a part-time basis. According to information submitted by the university systems, the plan actuaries could adjust premiums to cover any liabilities incurred or projected to be incurred for new members of the plan. However, the institutions anticipate few, if any, liability payments for the health professionals made eligible for liability insurance by the bill. Additionally, Chapter 59 of the Education Code contains permissive language, making it optional for institutions of higher education to offer professional liability coverage for health professionals.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
755 Stephen F. Austin State University, 758 Texas State University System, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board