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:

Vaughn

 

DATE TYPED:

02/04/03

 

HB

HM 4

 

SHORT TITLE:

Direct Care Staff Recognition

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Duplicates SM 16

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Memorial 4 expresses recognition and appreciation to the Direct Care staff that provides quality community-based specialized services, care and support to individuals in the Developmental Disability Community.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The Memorial acknowledges that:

 

·                    There are more than 27,000 New Mexicans who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities.

·                    Persons with developmental disabilities have substantial functional limitations and require specialized, lifelong individualized services and support.

·                    For more than two decades, individuals with developmental disabilities and mental retardation, and their families, have expressed a growing desire to receive community-based and community-integrated services as an alternative to institutional care.

·                    The Olmstead decision affirmed the right of these individuals to receive community-based care.

·                    The demand for community-based care is growing and that demand will continue to grow as family caregivers age, individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities live longer, waiting lists grow and services expand.

·                    The majority of services for individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities are provided by family members and by direct support professionals, who provide a wide range of supportive services.

·                    High rates of employee vacancies and turnover rates threaten the ability of providers to achieve their core mission, which is the provision of safe and quality support to individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The bill does not contain an appropriation.

 

DUPLICATION

 

Duplicates SM 16.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

HPC indicates that the combination of the increased demand for community-based services and limited State funding has resulted in approximately a six-year waiting list for those DD Waiver-eligible individuals to receive services. 

 

WD/sb