NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Saavedra

 

DATE TYPED:

02/25/03

 

HB

475

 

SHORT TITLE:

UNM Hospital 24-Hours Services

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Williams

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$2,000.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

 

Relates to

HB 476:  UNM Nursing Education and Special Projects

SB 190:  UNM Human Genomics Research Program

SB 256:  UNM Special Projects

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

Department of Health (DOH)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 475 appropriates $2,000.0 from the General Fund to the Board of Regents at the University of New Mexico (UNM) for the following:

 

            School of Medicine Specialty Education            $1,400.0

            To maintain twenty-four hour coverage at the trauma center and to increase staff

 

            Health Sciences Center                         $  600.0

            To provide continued funding for electronic resources

 

     Significant Issues

 

DOH notes UNM Hospital in the state’s only Level One Trauma Center, a designation reflecting the availability of immediate surgical capability for any type of trauma care on a 24/7 basis, with associated anesthesiologist staffing requirements.  DOH indicates demand at the state’s three trauma centers exceeds current capacity according to the SJM 35 Trauma System Study in part due to indigent and unfunded care services.    Finally, DOH highlights the shortage of anesthesiologists as a national health care issue.

 

DOH raises concerns regarding UNM Hospital’s service to indigent patients.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $2,000.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY04 shall revert to the General Fund. 

 

In its analysis, CHE notes its recommendation for these two projects was $2,250.0. 

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

DOH notes the bill is consistent with its strategic plan.

 

AW/njw