COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 0255-01
Bill No.: SB 664
Subject: Health Care; Health Care Professionals; Physicians; Insurance - Medical; Medical Procedures and Personnel
Type: Original
Date: March 25, 2003
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on General Revenue Fund |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on Other State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Social Services, Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan, Department of Insurance, Department of Economic Development - Division of Professional Registration, Office of State Courts Administrator, Office of Attorney General and University of Missouri assume the proposal will have no fiscal impact on their organizations.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2004
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2004
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
Small businesses in the health care field could have more exposure to liability due to not informing patients of abnormal medical test results.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal specifies that a medical malpractice action may be brought against a physician for the failure to inform a patient of the results of an abnormal medical test, unless the physician never received the results of the abnormal medical test. If a facility fails to notify a physician of the results of an abnormal medical test, then the facility will be the subject of the medical malpractice action.
Evidence that the patient was informed of the abnormal medical test can include a conversation of record between the physician and the patient, a letter to the patient's last known address, or any other communications consistent with that particular patient-physician relationship.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of Attorney General
Office of State Courts Administrator
Department of Economic Development
Department of Social Services
Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan
Department of Insurance
University of Missouri
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Director
March 25, 2003