NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.





F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Taylor, J.P. DATE TYPED: 01/28/99 HB 196
SHORT TITLE: Farm Workers Health Care SB
ANALYST: Burkhart


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 150.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SUMMARY



House Bill 196 appropriates 150.0 to the Department of Health from the general fund for expenditure by the border health office for the purpose of providing outreach resource services to assist farm workers to obtain appropriate health care and human service assistance.



Significant Issues



House Bill 196 will provide assistance to farm workers so they may obtain appropriate health care and assistance. If enacted, the bill will have the added effect of enrolling persons on medicaid. This is especially important for children and the fact New Mexico has such large numbers of children who are eligible for health insurance but are not enrolled.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The Department of Health has the necessary expertise to provide fiscal oversight and control of these monies.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



Administration of these monies is within the budgeted capacity of this department.





POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



1. How was the 150.0 amount determined?



2. Will the border health office enroll persons for insurance and medicaid directly or will they refer individuals to the local income support office?



MB/njw