tobacco tax; urgent care
services
W/D |
Committee on Human Services |
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DP |
Committee on Health |
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X |
Committee on Appropriations |
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Caucus and COW |
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As Passed the House |
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SB 1503 designates $500,000 in FY 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the $6 million annual appropriation for primary care services from the medically needy account to community-based primary care programs to provide primary care or urgent care services during evening and weekend hours.
The
current trend of employee shortages and increasing demands on emergency rooms
during weekend and evening hours have forced many primary care programs to
divert patients needing primary care and urgent services to other
facilities. Diversion creates hardships
for patients and logistical problems for ambulance services and emergency
rooms.
SB 1503 addresses these specific issues by designating $500,000 of the $6 million annual appropriation for community-based primary care programs for weekend and evening services.