ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
appropriation; rural
ambulances
Appropriates $1.5 million in
FY 2001-2002 from the emergency medical services operating fund to the Department
of Health Services (DHS) for ambulances in rural areas.
Laws 1983, Chapter 249 created the emergency medical services operating fund to support local and state emergency medical services systems. The fund receives 48.9 percent of the medical services enhancement fund revenues, which are collected from a 13 percent surcharge on fines charged for criminal offences and civil motor vehicle statute violations. According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff, the year-end fund balance for FY 2001-2002 is $4,275,800.
In 1993, a House Interim Rural Health Care Task Force visited various communities around the state, including Ajo, Bisbee, Flagstaff, Holbrook, Kearny, Kingman, Nogales, Parker and Yuma to develop health policy recommendations. The Task Force identified four general insufficiencies in these geographic areas: (1) a shortage of primary care health professionals; (2) a shortage of health care facilities; (3) a lack of transportation; and (4) a lack of educational programs for rural communities to assist health care professionals. S.B. 1201 attempts to address transportation concerns by appropriating $1.5 million in FY 2001-2002 to provide ambulances to rural areas, as determined by the DHS Director after consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Council (Council).
Provisions
1. Appropriates $1.5 million in FY 2001-2002 from the emergency medical services operating fund to DHS for ambulances in rural areas. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
2. Requires the DHS Director to consult with the Council before distributing the funds.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 26, 2001