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.