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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Stell

 

DATE TYPED:

3/3/03

 

HB

775

 

SHORT TITLE:

Community of Chaparral Health Care Needs

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$25.0

 

 

Non-Recurring

GF

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

Department of Health (DOH)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

      Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 775 appropriates $25,000 from the general fund to the Department of Health (DOH) for expenditure to assess the health care needs in the community of Chaparral in Otero and Doña Ana Counties.

   

      Significant Issues

 

The community of Chaparral doubled in size from the 1990 US Census (population: 2,962) to the 2000 US Census (population: 6,117).  In the fall of 2002, the Chaparral Community Health Council conducted a survey of health, education, infrastructure and economic development needs.  The survey identified several issues, including health care needs, as priorities for the future.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $25.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 04 shall revert to the general fund.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

No FTE will be required. This is a short-term project that will have little to no administrative impact.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

Chaparral is a rural community with several significant challenges such as a low income, lack of infrastructure, limited access to health care, lack of economic development and steady population growth rate.   The community of Chaparral would benefit from funds to implement a program to address health care needs identified in the survey conducted during 2002.

 

The survey was conducted by thirty interviewers from the community with a total of 333 surveys obtained. The Government/Public Administration Department at New Mexico State University did the Survey Data Analysis.  The results were as follows:

 

Demographics

 

  • 62% are between ages 26-45
  • 77% are female
  • 65% are married
  • About ½ live in Otero County and ½ live in Dona Ana County
  • 93% are Hispanic
  • Nearly 50% earn $150 to $350 per week
  • Nearly 48% have 5 people in their household
  • 70% live in trailers
  • In general, people who lived in trailers were less likely to live on paved roads
  • 79% own their own home

 

Health

 

  • 71% are satisfied with local health services
  • 71% say their biggest health risks are allergies, high blood pressure, and obesity
  • Top health programs of interest are:  Depression-70%, Drugs/alcohol-66% and family violence-60%
  • The incidence of Asthma, Diabetes and Anemia was less in 2002 then 1997

 

Infrastructure

 

  • 97% want a sewer system
  • 84% have propane or butane, but 97% would like to have natural gas
  • Only about 50% of the people live on paved roads

 

Education

 

  • 98.5% want a new high school
  • Day Care, Vocational Education, and Health Education are the top three educational priorities

 

Economic Development

 

  • 59% favor Incorporation of Chaparral
  • 33% want more information about Incorporation of Chaparral

·        97% want new businesses such as laundry, auto parts and movie theatre

 

HPC provide the following information on the Chaparral community:

 

  • Chaparral is 22 miles south of Las Cruces, and 7 miles south of El Paso, and is one of the most densely populated unincorporated communities in New Mexico.

 

  • Chaparral is located in eastern Otero County and western Dona Ana County.

 

  • In 1995, it was estimated that about 40% of Dona Ana residents lived in colonias (Borderlines 42, Vol 6, 1998).

o       Colonias are settlements whose residents are generally made up of Mexican or South American immigrants, and include both US or legal residents and undocumented workers.

o       These settlements are low-income communities, plagued with grave living conditions of poor housing, lack of clean water and sewage lines, and other environmental hazards.Colonias surround Chaparral. 

o       Colonia residents may avoid health care resources due to fear, inability to pay, or resort to home remedies that may worsen or not cure illnesses.

.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

Since a survey has already been conducted, would the sponsor consider allocating the funding to address an issue prioritized by the community based on the survey data?

 

BD/sb