MINORITY HEALTH H.B. 4455 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4455 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Michael C. Murphy
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to require the Department of Community Health to take specified actions to address racial and ethnic health disparities in this State, and to submit to the Legislature an annual report on the bill's impact.
Actions the Department would have to take include the following:
-- Developing and implementing a structure to address racial and ethnic health disparities in this State.
-- Monitoring minority health progress, and establishing minority health policy.
-- Developing and implementing an effective statewide strategic plan for the reduction of racial and ethnic health disparities.
-- Using Federal, State, and private resources, as available and within the limits of appropriations, to fund minority health programs, research, and other initiatives.
-- Developing and implementing recruitment and retention strategies to increase the number of minorities in the health and social service professions.
-- Providing data and technical assistance to minority health coalitions and other local entities addressing the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.
Proposed MCL 333.2227 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The State of Michigan currently devotes financial and administrative resources to address disparities in health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. These efforts are largely coordinated through the Office of Minority Health in the Department of Community Health. Roughly $2.4 million gross and $1.5 million in State funds (GF/GP and Healthy Michigan Fund) are devoted to reducing health disparities in the State.
The State would have to devote additional staff and financial resources to fulfilling the bill's requirements. These resources would be used to provide data, support, and outreach to community organizations, creating a web page, and fulfilling the reporting requirements. The extent of this cost is difficult to determine because the Department is likely currently fulfilling some of the requirements proposed by the legislation, and language in the bill would limit activities by the Department to its current appropriation.
Date Completed: 12-8-06 Fiscal Analyst: David FosdickAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4455/0506