House of Representatives

HB 2250

rural telemedicine; appropriation

Sponsors: Representatives Knaperek, Blendu,

Senator Martin, et al.

DPA	Committee on Health
DP	Committee on Appropriations
X	Caucus and COW	This bill as introduced contains an Appropriation clause.
	As Passed the House

HB 2250 will create a rural behavioral health telemedicine program through the appropriation of $250,000 from the state general fund in FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003. Telemedicine is the use of interactive audio, video and data communication to assist in delivering medical diagnosis and care.

History

In 1996 the legislature created a telemedicine program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine with an appropriation of $1.2 million dollars. The Arizona Telemedicine Program was created to assist rural areas that lack necessary medical facilities and staff.

Provisions

· Establishes a behavioral health telemedicine program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine to serve Arizona’s rural areas by distributing awards and grants to Regional Behavioral Health Providers.

· Specifies the criteria for choosing recipients as: intent to provide rural health care, proximity of a rural provider to existing medical facilities, priority to populations with the greatest need, outcome measures, cost-effectiveness, fiscal responsibility, participant cooperation to reduce overall costs and integration of participating sites with the local provider network.

· Appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund in FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to the University of Arizona for the procurement of telemedicine behavioral health services.

· Exempts the amount from lapsing of appropriations.

HB 2250 was amended in the Health Committee as follows:

· Changes the definition of school to college.

HB 2250 passed the Appropriations Committee unamended.

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44th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 February 28, 2001

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