NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education

Department of Health

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The bill appropriates $200.0 to the Department of Health (DOH) to provide or contract for a prostate cancer program for the early detection of and the provision of public information about the disease.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $200.0 in general fund in FY01 to DOH.

DOH indicates the $200.0 appropriation would only be sufficient for public information and education efforts and would not fund early detection/screening services.

The Commission on Higher Education indicates an option to the appropriation to DOH would be to appropriate the funds to the UNM Health Sciences Center. However, DOH indicates a direct appropriation to DOH simplifies administration of the funds.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Commission on Higher Education suggests the following language:

The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having this program implemented for a three-year period.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This program is in jeopardy of being eliminated by DOH due to reduced contract funding within the Public Health Division.

RAE/njw