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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Senate Bill 139

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 287 appropriates $50.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs to contract for culturally competent services. The proposed services are intended for Native Americans residing in Albuquerque who are twenty-two years of age or less with disabilities or special medical needs. House Bill 287 contains an emergency clause.

Significant Issues

According to the All Indian Pueblo Council in Albuquerque, a recent survey indicates that urban Indian families who have children with special needs are not receiving a full continuum of care and other available services. Access to services are impeded by several factors: 1) a lack of recognition of needs of urban Indians; 2) mobile nature of this population; 3) differences between reservation-based and urban health care delivery systems; 4) a lack of understanding of health care systems by Indian families; 5) local of awareness of urban Indians by providers; and 6) a frequent lack of basic services such as transportation, housing, child care and a lack of outreach. Another impediment to providing culturally competent services is finding adequate interpreters.

According to the Department of Health, "any amount of increased funding or additional services for children with special needs for the Native American population would strengthen the Native American families' abilities to cope with the needs of their children and families."

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation in House Bill 287 is for expenditure in fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 reverts to the general fund.

RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 287 relates to Senate Bill 139 which appropriates $100.0 from the general fund in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 to the Department of Health to contract for services for Native American children with special needs.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Department of Health recommends that the sponsor of House Bill 287 consider three amendments to the bill: 1) Define the term "culturally competent services"; 2) Establish a requirement to collaborate with similar programs and groups currently providing similar services; and 3) Describe the services to be provided. The collaboration of services will provide more direct service and reduce the administrative costs of the programs.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The services proposed in House Bill 287 are currently provided by the Department of Health, Human Services Department, and non-profit organizations such as the Albuquerque Indian Health Board, All Indian Pueblo Council, Parents reaching Out and Family Voices. The Indian Health Service also provides such services, but has limited funding for special programs.

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