South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 4732

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Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 21, 2004

H. 4732

Introduced by Reps. Davenport, Clyburn, Frye, Hamilton, Littlejohn, Loftis, Pinson, Rice, Taylor and Weeks

S. Printed 4/21/04--H.

Read the first time February 11, 2004.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL,

MILITARY, PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 4732) to establish a task force on emergency room diversion to be convened by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to study the use of emergency rooms, to identify inappropriate usage, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION    1.    (A)    There is established a Task Force on Emergency Room Diversion to be convened by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to develop a plan for community service alternatives or contract alternatives, or both, for persons who currently use emergency rooms for nonemergency health services. Membership on the task force must include, but is not limited to, representatives of the following:

(1)    South Carolina Medical Association;

(2)    South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians;

(3)    South Carolina Hospital Association;

(4)    Emergency Medical Services Association;

(5)    South Carolina Sheriff's Association;

(6)    Partners in Crisis;

(7)    Probate Court Judges Association;

(8)    South Carolina Psychiatric Association;

(9)    South Carolina Department of Mental Health;

(10)    South Carolina College of Emergency Room Physicians.

(B)    The task force shall submit a plan and budget to reduce inappropriate utilization of the emergency room and to provide more appropriate services. The plan and budget must be submitted to House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee and the Senate Medical Affairs Committee before January 1, 2005.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

JOE E. BROWN for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

Minimal (Some additional costs expected but can be absorbed)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

Department of Health & Environmental Control

The department reports that some additional expenses will be incurred in carrying out the duties outlined in the bill; however, the department will divert resources within the agency to accomplish this task.

Department of Health & Human Services

The department notes that the bill will require the agency to provide representation on the task force. The agency does not anticipate a cost as this representation would mainly be in the form of contributions of time of existing staff members.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON EMERGENCY ROOM DIVERSION TO BE CONVENED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO STUDY THE USE OF EMERGENCY ROOMS, TO IDENTIFY INAPPROPRIATE USAGE AND TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES ALTERNATIVES; TO SUBMIT A PLAN TO REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE USE OF EMERGENCY ROOMS AND A BUDGET TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN AND TO PROVIDE MORE APPROPRIATE SERVICES; AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN CONDUCTING A PILOT PROJECT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    (A)    There is established a Task Force on Emergency Room Diversion to be convened by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to develop a plan for community service alternatives or contract alternatives, or both, for persons who currently use emergency rooms for nonemergency health services. Membership on the task force must include, but is not limited to, representatives of the following:

(1)    South Carolina Medical Association;

(2)    South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians;

(3)    South Carolina Hospital Association;

(4)    Emergency Medical Services Association;

(5)    South Carolina Sheriff's Association;

(6)    Partners in Crisis;

(7)    Probate Court Judges Association;

(8)    South Carolina Psychiatric Association.

(B)    The task force shall submit a plan and budget to reduce inappropriate utilization of the emergency room and to provide more appropriate services. The plan and budget must be submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid Health Care before January 1, 2005. Following approval by the committee, the department shall undertake a pilot project implementing recommendations made by the task force. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide support to the Department of Health and Environmental Control by monitoring and providing periodic evaluations of the pilot project.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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