Assembly Bill No. 513–Committee on Ways and Means

 

CHAPTER..........

 

AN ACT making an appropriation to the Department of Human Resources for the development of four long-term strategic plans concerning the health care needs of the citizens of Nevada; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

   Section 1. 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the state general

 fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of $800,000 for the

 development of four long-term strategic plans relating to the health care

 needs of the residents of Nevada to be allocated as follows:

   (a) For a plan to ensure the availability and accessibility of

 a continuum of services that appropriately meets the basic

 needs of  Nevada’s senior citizens and supports their ability to

 lead independent and active lives........ $100,000

   (b) For a plan to ensure the availability and accessibility of

 a continuum of health care services  in rural areas of Nevada................................. $150,000

   (c) For a plan to:

     (1) Ensure the availability and accessibility of a continuum of

 services that appropriately meet the basic needs of persons with

 disabilities in Nevada, including, without limitation, autistic persons;

     (2) Support the ability of persons with disabilities in Nevada to lead

 independent and active lives within their community in accordance;

     (3) Continue the effort of the State of Nevada to provide community

-based services which match the need of the client and provide choice

 between appropriate services; and

     (4) Ensure that persons with disabilities in Nevada

 receive the services that they are entitled to receive pursuant

 to state and federal statutes and case law   $150,000

   (d) For a plan:

     (1) To develop and implement a sound methodology for the

 establishment and periodic adjustment of rates paid by the State of Nevada

 for contracted health and human services which accurately reflect the

 required costs of providing those services; and

     (2) Where applicable, to establish reimbursement rates at

 appropriate, consistent and competitive levels that will attract

 a sufficient number of providers so as to ensure the effective

 delivery of an appropriate range of service options for

 Nevada’s health and human services.. $400,000

   2.  In developing each of the long-term strategic plans authorized

 pursuant to subsection 1, the Department shall:

   (a) Contract with one or more persons who have knowledge about and

 experience in facilitating group discussions which include divergent points

 of view and perspectives to achieve consensus and mutual satisfaction in

 an effective planning process;

   (b) Conduct public hearings in a broad range of settings and locations in

 this state to ensure that it receives information from all interested persons,

 including, without limitation, senior citizens, rural Nevadans, persons with

 disabilities, their representatives, governmental representatives and

representatives of persons who provide institutional and community-based

services to persons with disabilities; and

   (c) Cause the development of each such long-term plan only after the

 testimony and information presented by the public has been fully

 considered throughout the process.

   3.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1 of

 this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2003, and

 reverts to the state general fund as soon as all payments of money

 committed have been made.

   Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.

 

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