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





SPONSOR: Sandoval DATE TYPED: 2/16/99 HB 244
SHORT TITLE: Patient Protection Ombudsman SB
ANALYST: Esquibel


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 500.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Public Regulation Commission

Health Policy Commission



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



The bill appropriates $500.0 in general fund in FY2000 to the Insurance Division of the Public Regulation Commission to establish and operate a patient protection ombudsman office to assist in the implementation of the Patient Protection Act.

Significant Issues



The Insurance Division of the Public Regulation Commission is currently utilizing its own resources to implement a limited managed care ombudsman program to promulgate the intent of the Patient Protection Act.



The patient protection ombudsman's office was originally intended to assist managed care enrollees in exercising their rights; advocate for and protect the interests of the consumer of managed care plans; educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities; and provide a mechanism to assist consumers in resolving disputes with managed care plans.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The bill would appropriate $500.0 in general fund in FY2000 to the Insurance Division to establish a recurring office and program.



Currently, House Bill 2, as amended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, already contains a $500.0 appropriation and 7 FTE to carry out the provisions of HB244.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The State Agency on Aging, Human Services Department, Attorney General's Office, Public Regulation Commission and Children, Youth and Families Department all perform mandated ombudsman duties to protect patients' and wards' rights.



RAE/gm