HCS SCS SB 858 & 868 -- HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY FUND

SPONSOR:  Shields (Sater)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Healthcare Technology Fund
administered by the Department of Social Services, in accordance
with the recommendations of the newly established Missouri
Healthcare Technology Commission unless otherwise specified by
the General Assembly, to promote technological advances to
improve patient care, decrease administrative burdens, and
increase patient and healthcare provider satisfaction.  Any
programs or improvements on technology must include encouragement
and implementation of technologies intended to improve the
safety, quality, and costs of health care services.

Moneys in the fund cannot be expended to the financial benefit of
any elected public official or any state employee who has direct
decision-making or administrative authority over disbursements
from the fund.  At least 25% of the funds annually disbursed must
be dedicated to technological upgrades and the promotion of
technological advances in medically underserved communities and
populations.  The department must establish the procedures and
methods for implementing the substitute.

The commission will be comprised of 16 members of the General
Assembly with 10 members being selected by the Governor.  The
commission will develop and report recommendations relating to
the expenditure of moneys appropriated to the fund to the
Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2007.  The
recommendations will include an analysis and review of the
current status of healthcare information technology adoption by
the healthcare delivery system in Missouri and address the
potential technical, scientific, economic, security, privacy, and
other issues related to the adoption of healthcare information
technology.  The commission will expire on April 15, 2007.

The substitute prohibits an employer from requiring an employee
to have a personal identification microchip implanted as a
condition of employment.  A violation of this provision will be a
class A misdemeanor.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $0 to
Unknown in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the Healthcare Technology Fund
is a requirement by the Medicaid Reform Commission.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Shields.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am