AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR HEALTH; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of the Department of Health Act is enacted to read:

"COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR HEALTH.--

A. The department, in conjunction with the New Mexico health policy commission and other state agencies, pursuant to Section 9-7-11.1 NMSA 1978, shall develop a comprehensive strategic plan for health that emphasizes prevention, personal responsibility, access and quality.

B. The department shall publish the comprehensive strategic plan for health by July 1, 2004 and July 1 of subsequent even-numbered years. By July 1 of odd-numbered years, the department shall review and update or amend the plan in response to changes and developments.

C. The department shall include the legislature, health care providers, consumer and patient advocates, health care financing organizations, managed care organizations, major insurers in the state, the human services department, the children, youth and families department, the state agency on aging, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders in its development of the comprehensive strategic plan for health so as to give geographic representation to all areas of the state. The department shall ensure that public participation and public input are integrated into the planning process. The department shall convene regional meetings on the proposed plan to allow public review and comment including oral and written testimony, pursuant to the Open Meetings Act.

D. The department shall consult with the governments of Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located wholly or partially within New Mexico to include Indian nations, tribes and pueblos in the development of the comprehensive strategic plan for health.

E. The department shall report its findings, recommendations and goals in its biennial comprehensive strategic plan for health. The plan shall address the following areas and others that the governor and the legislature may from time to time request:

(1) a summary of the state's health care system that includes the financial, administrative and delivery structure in both the public and private sector;

(2) the diseases, injuries and risk factors for physical, behavioral and oral health that are the greatest cause of illness, injury or death in the state, with special attention to and recognition of the disparities that currently exist for different population groups;

(3) key indicators of and barriers to health care coverage and access, with specific emphasis on reducing the number of uninsured New Mexicans;

(4) the role of the department, other state agencies and the private sector in identifying strategies and interventions to provide health care coverage, access and quality;

(5) a continuum of care model that emphasizes prevention, early intervention and health promotion and that includes public health services, emergency medical services, primary care, acute care, specialized care, tertiary care and long-term care;

(6) health education, wellness, nutrition and exercise initiatives that emphasize personal health responsibility;

(7) workforce initiatives to identify, recruit and retain health care professionals;

(8) health care facility infrastructure, capacity, capitalization and financial viability in both the public and private sector;

(9) licensing, credentialing, oversight and tracking initiatives designed to improve health care quality and outcome measurements;

(10) programs, services and activities designed to address the needs of the disabled, elderly and other special-needs populations;

(11) anticipated demands and challenges on the health care system as the need for long-term care services increases;

(12) data and information addressing key health status and system indicators, statistics, benchmarks, targets and goals for the state and comparing it nationally, regionally and to other states of similar size and demographics; provided that individually identifiable health information and other proprietary information is protected as required by state or federal law; and

(13) planning and response to public health emergencies, including bioterrorism, pandemic flu, disease outbreaks and other situations that will require a coordinated response by the health care system."

Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.