Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3999 by Turner, Chris (Relating to reimbursement for health care services provided to certain first responders; creating a civil penalty.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require health care facilities to provide necessary medical treatment to a first responder and to accept as payment in full the amount equal to the Medicare reimbursement rate for the service. A health care facility would be liable to the state for a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation and each day of a continuing violation would constitute a separate violation. The bill would authorize the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to bring suit and to recover reasonable expenses.
According to OAG, although the bill authorizes the office to recover a civil penalty and its attorney's fees and expenses it is unlikely that many health care facilities will refuse to comply with the law. OAG also has discretion in determining whether to file suit. Therefore, it is anticipated that the work created by this bill could be absorbed with current resources.
According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, because the number of future violations is unknown, revenue to the state cannot be determined, the bill is not expected to have a significant impact to the State.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts