Enacts the "health care delivery models study act"

1 Co-sponsor

• Kemp Hannon

BILL NUMBER:S4493A

Title of bill

An act in relation to directing the commissioner of health to conduct a study of certain health care delivery models and to deliver a report of the study's results to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate and the minority leader of the senate

Summary of provisions

Section One states that this Act shall be known as "The Health Care Delivery Models Study Act"

The Commissioner of Health is directed to conduct a study of current innovations in the delivery of health care services not presently required to undergo state certificate of need processes nor required to obtain authorization to conduct office based surgery. Entities to be studied shall include, but not limited to clinics operating within pharmacies (mini clinics), medical offices open for extended hours without an appointment (urgent care centers), and major physician practices (whether in one location or multiple locations) whose physicians are linked directly or indirectly in an economic relationship.

The Study shall examine the impact(s) of the respective entities on the delivery, quality and cost of health care in the respective communities and regions they are found.

The Commissioner of Health shall report, publish and transmit, his or her findings to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Assembly, the Temporary President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate within one year of from the date of this act shall take effect.

Existing law

New law.

Justification

Trends in the health care marketplace, including shortages of primary care physicians in many communities and a shrinking number of hospitals and emergency rooms, have led to the proliferation of current innovations in the delivery of health care services not presently required to undergo state certificate of need processes nor required to obtain authorization to conduct office based surgery. Such entities include, clinics operating within pharmacies (mini clinics), medical offices open for extended hours without an appointment (urgent care centers), and major physician practices (whether in one location or multiple locations) whose physicians are linked directly or indirectly in an economic relationship.

Yet the law and regulations that cover these Health Care Delivery Models are vague at best and medical consumers are susceptible to confusion about when such facilities are an appropriate health care option.

The "The Health Care Delivery Models Study Act" requires the Department of Health to conduct a study which shall examine the impact(s) of the respective entities on the delivery, quality and cost of health care in the respective communities and regions they are found in.

In light of inconsistencies in various health care delivery models, the services they provide and the potential for confusion among health care consumers about whether a various health care delivery model is the appropriate health care option, there is a clear public benefit in a Department of Health study that will both inform consumers and establish any need for further regulatory action.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.