ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
appropriation; rural
ambulances
Appropriates, from the
emergency medical services operating fund to the Department of Health Services
(DHS), $1.5 million in FY 2001-2002 to improve emergency medical services in
rural areas, and $200,000 in FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 for increased costs
associated with providing ambulance services.
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). In addition, S.B. 1201 appropriates $200,000 in FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 for increased costs associated with providing ambulance services.
Provisions
1. Appropriates the following amounts to DHS from the emergency medical services operating fund:
(a) $1.5 million in FY 2001-2002 to improve emergency medical services in rural areas.
(b) $200,000 in FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 for increased costs associated with providing ambulance services.
2. Requires the DHS Director to consult with the Council before distributing the $1.5 million appropriation.
1. Requires the Director to submit an expenditure report to the Governor and the Legislature by November 15, 2002 regarding the $1.5 million appropriation.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Health Committee
Expands the authorized use of the appropriation.
Amendments Adopted by Appropriations Committee
1. Expands the authorized use of the appropriation.
2. Eliminates the exemption from lapsing for the appropriation.
3. Appropriates an additional $200,000 from the emergency medical services operating fund in FYs 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 for increased costs associated with providing ambulance services.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
Requires the Director to submit a report of the expenditures regarding the $1.5 million appropriation to the Governor and the Legislature.
Senate Action House Action
HEA 1/30/01 DPA 5-0-3-0 HEA 3/12/01 DPA 6-0-0-4
APPROP 2/20/01 DPA 12-0-0-0 APPROP 3/27/01 DP 12-0-0-4
3rd Read 3/5/01 23-6-1 3rd Read 4/24/01 55-0-5
Signed by the Governor 5/1/01
Chapter 283
Prepared by Senate Staff
May 16, 2001