SENATE BILL 314
47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005
INTRODUCED BY
Phil A. Griego
AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH; ESTABLISHING CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DUTIES PERTAINING TO PERSONS LIVING WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME; CREATING A MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE; CREATING AN INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act".
Section 2. PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act is to ensure that consumers are the focus of the funding and services provided and their consideration is to be the determining factor in all the state's human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome programs.
Section 3. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH--DUTIES.--The department of health shall serve as the state's human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome service coordinator among all state agencies, providing direct and contract education and prevention and treatment services for eligible persons, subject to the availability of funds. The department shall serve as the state contract administrator for federal Ryan White services funding as well as for all federal centers for disease control and prevention human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome programs. Services shall include prevention, clinical services, a drug assistance and insurance assistance program to eligible individuals and programs appropriate for Native Americans, including traditional medicine services. Wherever possible, services shall be delivered through a consumer-based organization. The department of health shall include a quality assurance component in all services and shall ensure that all clients are educated about their rights and responsibilities and the department's grievance procedures.
Section 4. MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--
A. There is created at the department of health a "medical advisory committee" to consist of seven members, chaired by the department's chief medical officer or the officer's designee. Committee membership shall consist of four physicians and two consumers with current experience in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
B. The committee shall review the department of health's human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome drug formulary and policies regarding selection, utilization and provision of those drugs and recommend changes as appropriate to the department of health and report its recommendations to the governor's HIV and AIDS policy commission.
Section 5. OMBUDSMAN--DUTIES.--An independent "office of HIV and AIDS ombudsman" is created. The ombudsman shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. The office shall record and review all complaints and requests for services that come to its attention about public programs and services for persons living with the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome statewide. The office shall make an annual report to the department of health by November 1 of each year on its activities and recommendations.
Section 6. ANNUAL REPORT--POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.--
A. The department of health shall provide an annual report on activities conducted pursuant to the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act. The report shall be submitted no later than December 15 to the legislature and the governor.
B. The department of health shall develop and annually review policies and procedures pertaining to the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act.
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