Chapter 462

2006 -- H 7424 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

Enacted 07/07/06

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COORDINATED HEALTH PLANNING ACT OF 2006

Introduced By: Representatives E Coderre, McNamara, Naughton, Diaz, and Slater

Date Introduced: February 16, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 81

RHODE ISLAND COORDINATED HEALTH PLANNING ACT OF 2006

23-81-1. Short title. – This act shall be known as the "Rhode Island Coordinated Health

Planning Act of 2006."

23-81-2. Legislative findings. – It is hereby found and declared:

(a) The vast majority of Rhode Islanders believe that quality, affordable health care

should be available to all in our state;

(b) Our current health care crisis effects all facets of Rhode Island's economy, with a

particular burden on small business owners, young people, and those approaching retirement;

(c) A majority of Rhode Islanders believe that the state government has a significant role

to play in solving this health care crisis because of the federal government's lack of commitment

to do so;

(d) The current state health care infrastructure is fragmented with an array of state

departments and offices carrying out health care planning, along with a myriad of private efforts,

all with a lack of coordination;

(e) Because an essential component of health planning is resource allocation, there is a

need to professionalize the health services council and revitalize the certificate of need process;

(f) Rhode Island's small size makes us the perfect laboratory to create a unified health

care system, planned and coordinated with a functioning public/private partnership, with broad

representation of all of the health care stakeholders; and

(g) The general assembly finds that the people of this state have a fundamental interest in

the establishment of a comprehensive strategic health care planning process and the preparation,

maintenance, and implementation of plans to improve the quality, accessibility, portability, and

affordability of health care in Rhode Island; that the continued growth, viability and development

of the health care infrastructure by the private and public sector requires effective planning by the

state; and that state and local plans and programs must be properly coordinated with the planning

requirements and programs of the federal government.

23-81-3. Establishment of statewide health planning program – An assessment. – (a)

The director of the department of health, in consultation with an advisory committee composed of

representatives of health care consumers, providers and payors, is hereby directed to develop an

assessment of the existing state capacity and authority to perform coordinated statewide health

planning. Said assessment shall include a plan for the development and revision of strategic plans

to improve the quality, accessibility, portability and affordability of the state's health care system,

and a study of an expanded role for the department of health in health care planning, including

capital investment expansion and introduction of technology. This assessment shall be submitted

to the joint legislative committee on health care oversight, the house committee on finance, and

the senate committee on finance, on or before April 1, 2007.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02236/3

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