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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Youngberg
DATE TYPED 2/02/05 HB 594
SHORT TITLE Bernalillo Metro Assessment & Treatment
SB
ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$1,400.0
Recurring
General Fund
Duplicates SB 323
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Health (DOH)
NM Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA)
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
HB 594 appropriates $1.4 million from the general fund to the DOH for the Bernalillo County
Metropolitan Assessment and Treatment facility for a new transitional housing facility ($400
thousand), and medical services ($1 million).
Significant Issues
The DOH reports HB 594 represents Phase 3 in the Bernalillo County effort to implement a con-
tinuum of services for individuals detained for public intoxication (Phase 1 is detoxification;
Phase 2 is 28-day inpatient treatment). The DOH further report Phase 3 funds will allow the ad-
dition of medical personnel to divert intoxicated individuals from emergency rooms.
The previously known Charter Hospital is now under ownership of Bernalillo County as of June
30, 2004. The program within the facility undergoing renovation is being referred to as the
pg_0002
House Bill 594 -- Page 2
MATS (Metropolitan Assessment Treatment System) Program. The building will be the future
home of the public detox program and will house a 30-day inpatient treatment program. It may
also house the city-funded ACT team and perhaps be the community’s crisis/triage facility to ac-
commodate the needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders. Policies are currently being
created by members of the Public Detox work group. Upon completion of the policies, the li-
censing procedure will follow.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
HB 594 supports Program Area 5 Behavioral Health Services, of the DOH Strategic Plan; Stra-
tegic Direction: Increase access and choice for behavioral health services.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $1.4 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-
eral fund.
The Executive General Fund recommendation for DOH includes $1 million to increase substance
abuse programs statewide.
The appropriation requested was not in the agencies budget request reviewed by the LFC in
2004.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
HB 594 would require the DOH to allocate funds to the Bernalillo County Assessment and
Treatment Services Facility, administer the funds and oversee the programming to insure ac-
countability. After the first year (FY 06), the Behavioral Health Collaborative could integrate the
$1.4 million dollar funding and play a role in the administration.
The AOD does not believe that HB 594 has a fiscal or an administrative impact on the courts.
DUPLICATION
Duplicates SB 323.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
Albuquerque has a need for a local, accessible, and comprehensive continuum of substance
abuse services. According to the NM DOH “Alcohol-Related Hospitalization Charges, New
Mexico, 2002”, Bernalillo County incurred over $22 million in alcohol-related hospitalization
costs.
•
In 2001, 54.2% of those in alcohol treatment located in New Mexico were male.
•
26.8% of the individuals in drug abuse treatment residing in New Mexico during 2001
were female.
•
The largest age group admitted into to a alcohol abuse treatment during 2001 in New
Mexico were between the ages of 36-40 (17.2%).
pg_0003
House Bill 594 -- Page 3
•
The second largest age group attending alcohol abuse treatment in New Mexico during
2001 were between the ages of 31-35 (15.5%).
The MFA believes this appropriation would address only a small percentage of the affected com-
munity due to the great need for transitional living facilities in Bernalillo county.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.
The DOH reports the transitional housing and medical services at the Bernalillo County Metro-
politan Assessment and Treatment Facility would not be funded.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
What efforts are being made to coordinate services and seek assistance from hospitals as they
will benefit from the services this facility provides.
Will individuals with drug impairments be allowed to seek transitional housing or treatment ser-
vices at the new facility.
AHO/lg:sb