Honorable Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor, Senate Honorable Dennis Bonnen, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB916 by Johnson (Relating to supportive palliative care.), Conference Committee Report
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Health and Human Services Commission would be required to implement the provisions of the bill only if the agency receives a gift, grant, or donation or if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the agency does not receive a gift, grant, or donation and the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to, implement the provisions of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to study the potential improvements to patient care and health outcomes, and to potential cost savings to the state, from supporting or providing Medicaid reimbursement for supportive palliative care. The study would include an evaluation and comparison of other states that provide Medicaid reimbursement for supportive palliative care. HHSC would provide the study's findings to the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council not later than September 1, 2022.
HHSC indicates that the provisions of the bill could be absorbed with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.