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2001 SESSION

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HB 2060 Local health partnership authorities.

Introduced by: Michele B. McQuigg | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Health; local health partnership authorities. Creates the authority for single or multijurisdictional health care partnership authorities where government and private entities may join forces to address the health care needs of the area and assist in providing such services in a coordinated manner so as to eliminate duplication and inefficiency. The bill provides the basic outline for a local authority with provisions for membership, a board of directors, meeting and voting requirements and an outline of powers and duties. The authority would have to be approved by each participating locality by ordinance, resolution or agreement only after a public hearing has been held. The bill also has provisions that (i) allow for the disclosure of medical records to the authority to allow for health care services to be provided, and (ii) protect volunteers from civil liability for acts or omissions when providing noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures limited to finger sticks and injections performed as part of health care services unless the acts or omissions were the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The State Department of Health must choose the multi-jurisdictional effort that has been operating a community health program under a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson and Kellogg Foundations in Planning District 8 to act as a pilot for this concept. The Joint Commission on Health Care is required to monitor and provide technical advice to the pilot project and to evaluate the program by November 15, 2002. This provision sunsets on July 1, 2003.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Health; local health partnership authorities. Creates the authority for single or multijurisdictional health care partnership authorities where government and private entities may join forces to address the health care needs of the area and assist in providing such services in a coordinated manner so as to eliminate duplication and inefficiency. The bill provides the basic outline for a local authority with provisions for membership, a board of directors, meeting and voting requirements and an outline of powers and duties. The authority would have to be approved by each participating locality by ordinance, resolution or agreement only after a public hearing has been held. The bill also has provisions that (i) allow for the disclosure of medical records, after consent by the patient, to the authority to allow for health care services to be provided, and (ii) protect volunteers who are licensed professionals when providing minimally invasive procedures and services under the auspices of such authority from civil liability when such services are performed without gross negligence or willful misconduct. The State Department of Health shall choose the multi-jurisdictional effort that has been operating a community health program under a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson and Kellogg Foundations in Planning District 8 to act as a pilot for this concept. The pilot would sunset on July 1, 2003, at which time the Joint Commission on Health Care would evaluate the program and make recommendations for its continuation and for changes necessary in the program and statute. The pilot authority and any subsequent authorities have to make annual reports to the Joint Commission on Health Care.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Health; local health partnership authorities. Creates the authority for single or multijurisdictional health care partnership authorities where government and private entities may join forces to evaluate the health care needs of the area and provide such services in a coordinated manner so as to eliminate duplication and inefficiency. The bill provides the basic outline for a local authority with provisions for membership, a board of directors, meeting and voting requirements and an outline of powers and duties. The authority would have to be approved by each participating locality by ordinance, resolution or agreement only after a public hearing has been held. The bill also has provisions that (i) allow for the disclosure of medical records, after consent by the patient, to the authority to allow for health care services to be provided, (ii) protect volunteers who are licensed professionals when providing services under the auspices of such authority from civil liability when such services are performed without gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (iii) exempt authorities in the conduct of their work from the state procurement act. The State Department of Health shall choose one single or multi-jurisdictional effort that has been operating a community health program under a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson and Kellogg Foundations to act as a pilot for this concept. The pilot would sunset on July 1, 2003, at which time the State Department of Health would evaluate the program and make recommendations for its continuation and for changes necessary in the program and statute. The pilot authority and any subsequent authorities have to make annual reports to the Department of Health.