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) to improve emergency medical services 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 these concerns by appropriating $1.5 million in FY 2001-2002 to improve emergency medical services in 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 to improve emergency medical services 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.
Amendments
Adopted by Health Committee
Expands the authorized use of the appropriation.
Senate Action
HEALTH 1/30/01 DPA 5-0-3
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 6, 2001