HOUSE BILL 295

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO MAKE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NURSE ADVICE LINE SERVICES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR NEW MEXICO-BASED NURSE ADVICE LINE SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION.--The department of health shall convene a task force to make findings and recommendations for achieving greater efficiencies in nurse advice line services, eliminating silos and integrating nurse advice lines with public and private health systems throughout the state. The task force shall consist of representatives from the department of health, the medical assistance division of the human services department, centennial care managed care organizations, the New Mexico primary care association, the New Mexico nurses association, the New Mexico hospital association and nurse advice New Mexico. The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee on or before October 1, 2016.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2017 to contract for New Mexico-based nurse advice line services twenty-four hours a day to reduce emergency room and hospital costs for New Mexicans. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2017 shall revert to the general fund.

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