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.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

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 Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

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

SPONSOR:	Heaton		DATE TYPED:	03/10/99		HB	361/aHAFC
SHORT TITLE:		Health Professions Review Act				SB
					ANALYST:		Woodlee

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY99	FY2000	FY99	FY2000	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
NFI	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

NM Health Policy Commission

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Amendment

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee amendment to House Bill 361 changes the notification requirements for persons seeking a change in the scope of practice of a health profession. The original bill required the Regulation and Licensing Department to be notified, while the amendment change the agency to "the respective licensing board."

In addition to the above change, the amendment changes the requirements of the composition of the review panels. The requirements now state the following:

•One member will be from the professional association of which the proposed change is being considered. Another member may be from this category.

•No more than one member from any one board in addition to the member described above.

•The panel will have a number equal to one-half of the total membership who are consumers with no economic interest in the profession being considered for change.

Any other changes the amendment to House Bill 361 are technical in nature.

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 361 establishes procedures for objective review of proposed changes in the scope of practice of licensed health professionals. In addition, the bill provides for Health Policy Commission appointed review panels and criteria to be used in the review of proposed scope of practice changes.

Significant Issues

According to the Agency, the Health Policy Commission appoints an appropriate review panel for each proposed change, staffs the review panel, provides the legislature with assistance as needed, and the Director serves as the non-voting chair of each review panel.

The criteria the review panel is to consider includes:

- the impact on the health, safety, or welfare of consumers;

- the economic impact on overall health care deliver;

- the extent to which the proposed changes will affect the availability, accessibility, delivery,

and quality of health care in New Mexico.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

No appropriation is contained in the bill. No fiscal impact.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to the Health Policy Commission, for FY00, assuming continuation of the HPC's current base budget, the work will be absorbed within the current capacity.

MW/njw:prr