NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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 for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Beam

 

DATE TYPED:

2/11/03

 

HB

370

 

SHORT TITLE:

Early Childhood Dental Caries Program

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

L. Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$25.0

 

 

Recurring

GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation for the University of New Mexico in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

Department of Health (DOH)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 370 appropriates $25.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for the Health Sciences Center Division to create a facilitated task force to coordinate efforts to develop a comprehensive early childhood caries (ECC) program.

    

     Significant Issues

 

The DOH reports New Mexico has a higher rate of children experiencing dental decay (64.6%) and higher rates of children with untreated decay (37%).  An ECC program treats children 3 years old and under for prevention of baby bottle decay.  Early intervention reduces future demand for dental services.

 

Socioeconomic conditions in New Mexico argue for this type of program. According to the DOH, New Mexico ranks 49th in the country in oral health access.  Currently 29 of the state’s


thirty-three counties are designated as Heath Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAS), and twenty-five of the thirty-three counties are designated as HPSAs for dental care.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $25.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 reverts to the general fund.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

This request was not included in UNM’ Health Science Center budget request to the UNM Board of Regents, and was thus not included in the projects submitted to the CHE by UNM for review.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

1.               How large is the budget for the Health Sciences Center?

2.               Could this $25.0 be found within that budget to fund this task force activity?

3.               Shouldn’t the Health Sciences Center be doing this type of activity anyway?

 

LRB/yr:prr