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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
obstetric services; rural communities; recommendations
Purpose
Requires the
Department of Health Services (DHS) to convene stakeholders and staff to
develop recommendations to ensure obstetrics and gynecology services are provided
in
low-volume, high-risk rural communities and report its recommendations to the
Governor, President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives by December 31, 2025.
Background
DHS is established to promote and protect the health of residents and provide and coordinate public health services and programs for Arizona. Responsibilities of DHS include but are not limited to: 1) promoting the development, maintenance, efficiency and effectiveness of local health departments or districts; 2) collecting and tabulating all information required in reference to births; 3) conducting a statewide health education program; 4) coordinating local programs concerning control of preventable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition and dental health; 5) establishing and maintaining laboratories; 6) conducting continual evaluations of state, local and district public health programs; and 7) licensing and regulating health care institutions (A.R.S. § 36-132).
Obstetrics and gynecology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs, as well as women's health issues such as menopause, hormone problems, contraception, and infertility (National Cancer Institute).
Rural means either of the following: 1) a county with a population of fewer than 400,000 persons according to the most recent U.S. decennial census; or 2) a census county division with fewer than 50,000 persons, within a county with a population of 400,000 or more persons, according to the most recent U.S. decennial census (A.R.S. § 36-2171).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DHS to convene stakeholders and staff to develop recommendations to improve the availability of obstetrics and gynecology services in low-volume, high-risk rural communities in Arizona.
2. Requires DHS to report the recommendations to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2025.
3. Repeals the DHS obstetrics and gynecology services recommendation and reporting requirements on July 1, 2026.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
·
Requires DHS to convene stakeholders and staff to develop
recommendations to improve the ability of, rather than ensure the provision of,
obstetrics and gynecology services in
low-volume, high-risk rural communities.
Senate Action
HHS 2/6/24 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2024
MM/DM/sdr