CS/CS/HB 977

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the Primary Care Access Network;
3creating a pilot program to provide extended operating
4hours for the purpose of offering health care services at
5overcrowded clinics in the Primary Care Access Network in
6specified counties; directing the Agency for Health Care
7Administration to establish the pilot program in Orange,
8Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties; requiring
9the agency to develop procedures for operating the pilot
10program; requiring the agency to submit a report with
11recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by a
12specified date; providing an appropriation; providing an
13effective date.
14
15Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17     Section 1.  (1)  The Legislature finds that the Primary
18Care Access Network (PCAN) was founded to address the needs of
19the uninsured and those who are medically needy by providing a
20system of service delivery that builds upon the strengths of its
21current health provider partners. There has been an average 32-
22percent decrease in nonurgent emergency room services used by
23the uninsured in areas where one of the clinics is in operation.
24In accordance with these findings, the Agency for Health Care
25Administration shall establish a 2-year pilot program in Orange
26and Pasco Counties and a 1-year pilot program in Manatee,
27Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties to offer health care services
28during the weekend and after regular business hours during the
29week.
30     (2)  To the extent that funding is available, the pilot
31program shall provide funds to operate the PCAN clinics during
32the extended hours that the clinics are open and to pay the
33employees of those clinics accordingly.
34     (3)  The agency shall develop procedures for operating the
35pilot program.
36     (4)  Each January 1, for the duration of the pilot program,
37the agency shall submit to the Governor, the President of the
38Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives an
39annual report on the success and outcomes achieved by the pilot
40program, which must include a recommendation as to whether the
41pilot program should be continued, terminated, or expanded.
42     Section 2.  The sum of $3.5 million is appropriated from
43the General Revenue Fund to the Agency for Health Care
44Administration for the purpose of implementing this act during
45the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Of the funds provided, the sum of
46$2.3 million shall be used for programs in Orange and Pasco
47Counties, and $1.2 million shall be used for programs in
48Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties.
49     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.