Assigned to FS & APPROP                                                                                          FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2493

 

appropriation; counties; birth control

(NOW: family planning program; appropriation)

 

Purpose

 

            Appropriates $2.5 million in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to the Department of Health Services (DHS) for distribution to county health departments for family planning services.

 

Background

 

            Nationally, 33 percent of all births are to unmarried women.  Arizona had the sixth highest rate in 1999 at 38.7 percent.  States with higher rates of births to unmarried women are Mississippi (46 percent), New Mexico (45 percent), Louisiana (44.8 percent), South Carolina (39 percent) and Delaware (38.9 percent).

 

            The bill appropriates $2.5 million in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to DHS from the state general fund for distribution to county health departments for family planning services.  Family planning services include contraceptives, infertility services and information promoting abstinence but exclude abortion, abortion referrals and abortion counseling. The administrative fee DHS may charge is capped at four percent and the appropriation is exempt from lapsing.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Appropriates $2.5 million in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DHS for distribution to county health departments for family planning services.

 

2.      Limits DHS administrative costs to 4 percent ($100,000) of the appropriation.

 

3.      Limits services to adults with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

 

4.      Requires DHS to provide an eligibility determination form to each county health department.

 

5.      Prohibits county health departments from subcontracting for family planning services.

 

6.      Allows county health departments to contract with individual or group licensed health care providers, laboratories and suppliers if required.

 

7.      Permits a county health department not wishing to provide services to request that services be delivered through another nearby county.

 

8.      Prohibits abortions, abortion referrals or abortion counseling.

 

9.      Requires DHS to conduct an annual evaluation and submit a report to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by November 15 of each year.

 

10.  Contains definitions.

 

11.  Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.

 

12.  Provides for a general effective date.

 

House Action

 

Health              2/19/01            DPA/SE           9-0-0-1

CM                  2/13/01            DP                   9-1-0-0

3rd Read           3/21/01                                    38-18-4-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 2, 2001