AN ACT CONCERNING STATE-WIDE HEALTH CARE FACILITY PLANNING.

This bill revises the way the Office of Healthcare Access (OHCA) (1) conducts health care facility utilization studies and (2) develops a state health care facilities plan. It specifies the elements OHCA must examine in each document. It requires OHCA to prepare the utilization study annually and the facilities plan every five years.

The bill requires OHCA to conduct its statewide health care facility utilization study annually, rather than on a “continuing” basis (the latest study contains FY 07 data). The bill adds new factors OHCA must, at a minimum, assess and eliminates old ones. Under the bill, OHCA must examine:

1. the current availability and use of care in acute care and specialty hospitals, emergency rooms, outpatient surgical centers, clinics, and primary care facilities (the bill does not define clinic or primary care, which could include federally qualified health centers, school-based health centers, and some private providers' offices);

2. geographic areas and subpopulations that may be underserved or have limited access to specific types of services; and

3. other factors the OHCA commissioner deems pertinent.

The study can also include the commissioner's recommendations for addressing identified service gaps and lack of access to services. It must be submitted to the Public Health and Human Services committees by June 30 each year. Under current law, the study goes to the legislature and governor.

Under current law, which the bill eliminates, the utilization study must examine existing delivery systems and make recommendations to health care faculties and institutions on procedural improvements, and to the public health commissioner on legislation. OHCA must annually report the study's findings and recommendations for improving efficiency, lowering costs, coordinating facility use and services, and expanding health care availability.

The bill also eliminates requirements that OHCA (1) consult with the Public Health Department in conducting the utilization study and (2) evaluate the study as part of developing its health care facilities plan.

The law requires OHCA to create and maintain a statewide health care facilities plan. OHCA must consider this plan and the Public Health Department's state health plan in making certificate of need decisions. The bill requires it to update the existing plan (OHCA has never written a plan) by July 1, 2012 and every five years thereafter. It also requires OHCA to consult with any state agency the commissioner deems appropriate.

1. assess the availability of care in acute care and specialty hospitals, emergency rooms, outpatient surgical centers, clinics, and primary care sites (the bill does not define clinic or primary care);

2. evaluate the unmet needs of people the OHCA commissioner determines are at risk and of populations she determines are vulnerable;

3. project future demand for health care services and the effect technology may have on the demand, capacity, or need for services; and

4. recommend expansion, reduction, or modification of health care facilities.

In developing the plan, OHCA (1) must consider recommendations from any advisory bodies the commissioner establishes and (2) may use recommendations from authoritative organizations that promote best practices or evidence-based research. OHCA must consult with hospital representatives to develop a process that encourages hospitals to incorporate OHCA's plan into their long-range planning. Finally, OHCA must help appropriate state agencies communicate about innovations or changes that may affect future health planning.

The bill eliminates the requirement for OHCA, in creating the facilities plan, to

1. determine the availability of long-term and home health care in public and private institutions and community-based diagnostic and treatment facilities,

2. determine the scope of these services, and

3. anticipate future needs for these services and facilities.

Yea

Nay

(03/04/2009)