Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2243 by Paxton (Relating to required counseling before an abortion is performed.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2243, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($5,762,556) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($1,920,852)
2021
($3,841,704)
2022
($3,841,704)
2023
($3,841,704)
2024
($3,841,704)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($1,920,852)
2021
($3,841,704)
2022
($3,841,704)
2023
($3,841,704)
2024
($3,841,704)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require women to receive counseling before an abortion is performed, except during a medical emergency. Under the provisions of the bill, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would contract with one or more counseling providers throughout the state, not later than March 1, 2020. Additionally, HHSC would adopt rules not later than December 1, 2020. On and after March 1, 2020 a physician would be required to have a copy of the signed, written certification that the woman received counseling services prior to performing an abortion.
Methodology
According to HHSC, the number of Texas residents who had an abortion in fiscal year 2016, the most recent year of data, was 53,357. The current hourly rate for counseling in the Alternatives to Abortion program is $72. It is assumed counseling services would be provided starting on March 1, 2020, which is when certification of a woman receiving counseling services would be required. Providing one hourly counseling session to women would cost $1,920,852 in general revenue in fiscal year 2020 and $3,841,704 in general revenue for fiscal years 2021 through 2024. HHSC indicates costs related to the development of the required documentation of completed counseling could be absorbed utilizing existing resources.
Based on Legislative Budget Board analysis, administrative costs at HHSC including overhead costs, salaries, travel, basic consumable supplies, and technology costs related to providing counseling services, could be absorbed utilizing existing resources.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
503 Texas Medical Board, 529 Health and Human Services Commission