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.

*These funds would be available in FY02 and FY03.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB149, HB467

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Health (DOH)

Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)

General Services Department (GSD)

No Response

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 435 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to DOH to develop and implement a New Mexico health service corps dentist and dental hygienist recruitment program to provide dental services in the areas of New Mexico underserved by dentists and dental hygienists.

SB435 also exempts from the Procurement Code contracts with health professionals under the Health Services Corps Act, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, emergency medical technicians-paramedics, dentists and dental hygienists.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balances remaining at the end of FY03 shall revert to the general fund.

RELATIONSHIP

Senate Bill 435 relates to:

• •HB467 which also adds "dentist or dental hygienist" to the definition of health professional in the NM Health Services Corps Act. SB 435 also inserts definitions for "dentist" and "dental hygienist" into the Health Services Corps Act.
• •SB149 which would appropriate $456.0 from the general fund for establishment of a statewide dental auxiliary career ladder education program at three locations in New Mexico.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

DOH indicates NM does not have a dental school and so participates in the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) program. However, the WICHE program only requires recipients to return to NM and does not require them to practice in an underserved area of the state. A great advantage of the Health Service Corps Act over the WICHE program is that recipients are required to practice in a public health clinic or public or private nonprofit primary care clinic that is located in a state-designated medically (dentally) underserved area or that serves a high-needs population and that uses a sliding fee scale approved by DOH.

RAE/njw