ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
REVISED
medical services; rural
areas
Appropriates $500,000 in FYs
2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the medically needy account to the Department of
Health Services (DHS) for telemedicine pilot programs.
Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications to provide medical diagnosis and patient care in areas that are a distance from the health care provider. In 1995 the Legislature, established the telemedicine pilot program (Laws 1995, Chapter 275). The Legislature extended the pilot program in 1998 and 1999.
The pilot program is
designed to provide medical services in medically underserved areas, including
Flagstaff, Show Low, St. Johns, Page and Prescott, through the use of
telecommunications between urban sites and rural communities. Emphasis is placed on providing services to
low income, indigent and uninsured persons.
Available services include primary care, preventive care, specialty care
and consultation and behavioral health services. S.B. 1038 reauthorizes this program by appropriating, subject to
availability of monies, $500,000 in FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the medically
needy account to DHS for telemedicine services.
1. Appropriates, subject to the availability of monies, $500,000 in FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the medically needy account for telemedicine pilot programs designed to facilitate the provision of medical services in medically underserved areas.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Health Committee
Changes the appropriation for the telemedicine pilot programs from an annual appropriation to an appropriation for FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003.
Amendments Adopted by the Appropriations Committee
Eliminates the capital project grant program.
Senate Action
HEALTH 2/20/01 DPA 4-3-1
APPROP 2/20/01 DPA 11-0-1
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 21, 2001