Reference Title: medically underserved areas

AN ACT
AMENDING TITLE 36, CHAPTER 21, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 36-2174; RELATING TO MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 21, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-2174, to read:

36-2174 . Loan repayment; private practice; option

A. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES SHALL ESTABLISH A RURAL PRIVATE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR PHYSICIANS AND MID-LEVEL PROVIDERS WITH CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE RURAL PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES LOCATED IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS IN THIS STATE, AS DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO 42 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTION 62.52. TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AN APPLICANT SHALL AGREE TO PROVIDE ORGANIZED, DISCOUNTED, SLIDING FEE SCALE SERVICES FOR MEDICALLY UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS FROM FAMILIES WITH ANNUAL INCOMES BELOW TWO HUNDRED PER CENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AS ESTABLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL APPROVE THE SLIDING FEE SCALE USED BY THE PROVIDER. THE PROVIDER SHALL ASSURE NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE SERVICES. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL GIVE PREFERENCE TO APPLICANTS WHO AGREE TO SERVE IN RURAL AREAS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBSECTION, "RURAL" MEANS EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. A COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND PERSONS ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT UNITED STATES DECENNIAL CENSUS.

2. A CENSUS COUNTY DIVISION WITH LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PERSONS IN A COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND OR MORE PERSONS ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT UNITED STATES DECENNIAL CENSUS.

B. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 36-2172, SUBSECTION B, PARAGRAPH 2, RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT IN A PUBLIC OR NONPROFIT ENTITY, THE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND LOAN REPAYMENT CONTRACTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 36-2172.

C. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES MAY APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANT MONIES TO IMPLEMENT THE RURAL PRIVATE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.

Sec. 2. AHCCCS withdrawal; purpose

Notwithstanding any other law, for fiscal year 1997-1998, the Arizona health care cost containment system administration shall withdraw the sum of $111,200 from the medically needy account of the tobacco tax and health care fund established pursuant to section 42-1241, subsection C, paragraph 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, subject to the availability of monies in the account, for transfer to the department of health services to implement the rural private primary care provider loan repayment program established under section 36-2174, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act. All of these monies shall be used for primary care loan repayment and shall not be used by the department of health services for administrative costs.

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 24, 1997.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 24, 1997.