INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROV.

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View NCGA Bill Details2011-2012 Session
Senate Bill 552 (Public) Filed Monday, April 11, 2011
TO PROMOTE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM BY DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO CREATE INCENTIVES FOR SMALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO BECOME REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES.
Intro. by Hartsell.

Status: Ref To Com On Health and Human Services (House Action) (Jun 13 2011)

Bill History:

S 552

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jun 9 2011 - View Summary

    Senate amendment No. 2 makes the following changes to 2nd edition, as amended. Amends GS 130A-34.3 by deleting the requirement that a local health department have service area that includes a population of at least 75,000 from the eligibility criteria for receipt of state and federal public health funding; renumbers remaining criteria accordingly and makes a conforming change.


  • Summary date: Jun 8 2011 - View Summary

    Senate amendment makes the following changes to 2nd edition. Amends proposed GS 130A-34.2(a) to provide that the Public Health Improvement Incentive Program must provide monetary incentives for the creation and expansion of multicounty local health departments serving a population of not less than 75,000 (previously 100,000). Makes conforming change to proposed GS 130A-34.3(a)(1)b. Makes technical changes.


  • Summary date: Jun 6 2011 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Deletes the provisions of the 1st edition and replaces it with AN ACT TO PROMOTE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM BY ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM, STRENGTHENING LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ASSURING THE PROVISION OF THE TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
    Enacts new GS 130A-34.2, directing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish a Public Health Improvement Incentive Program (Program). Directs the Program to provide monetary incentives for the creation and expansion of multi-county local health departments serving a population of no less than 100,000. Requires the Commission to adopt rules to implement the Program.
    Specifies that certain criteria must be met by (1) a local health department and (2) the county or counties comprising the local health department, by July 1, 2014, in order for a local health department to be eligible to receive state and federal public health funding from the Division of Public Health. This required criteria is in addition to any other funding criteria established by state or federal law. Permits the State Health Director to grant exceptions to the population requirements specified in the criteria of proposed GS 130A-34.3(a)(1)b.
    Amends GS 130A-1.1(b) to require that a local health department ensure that the identified ten essential public health services are available and accessible to the population in each county served by that local health department (was, listed essential public health services categories and directed the Commission for Public Health to determine specific services to be provided under each of the categories).
    Directs DHHS to allocate $5 million from appropriated funds to the Division of Public Health to provide incentives to local health departments through the Program. Effective July 1, 2011.
    Directs the Program Evaluation Division of the General Assembly to study the feasibility of transferring all functions, powers, duties, and obligations vested in the Division of Public Health in DHHS to the University of North Carolina Healthcare System. Directs the Program Evaluation Division to submit its findings and recommendations from the study to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services no later than February 1, 2012.
    Effective when the act becomes law, except as otherwise indicated.


  • Summary date: Apr 11 2011 - View Summary

    Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to implement a regional public health authority incentive funding pilot program as follows: (1) counties must create a public health authority as specified; (2) in order to qualify for incentive funding, the regional authority must provide health services in a catchment that includes either a minimum of 15 counties or a minimum population of 500,000; counties with 500,000 or more will be eligible to receive funding if they combine with another county; (3) regions should coincide with boundaries of other preexisting health relevant districts and planning regions if possible; (4) incentive funds are allocated to each county within the region in a minimum of $2.00 per capita per year; (5) funding is limited to three consecutive yearly allocations; and (6) incentive funds are granted only after the adoption of the required resolutions. Details additional incentive funding provisions.
    Directs the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission to allocate, from available Health and Wellness Trust Fund funds in 2011-12, up to $6 million to DHHS, to be credited to a nonreverting account and used to support regional public health authorities through the incentive funding pilot.
    Directs DHHS to report to specified entities by May 1, 2012, on the progress of the pilot program, including a review of the capacity of small counties to meet the mandatory core public health functions and whether the state should establish minimum populations for local health departments.
    Effective July 1, 2011.