§259. Support for primary and preventive health care services
The department shall maintain and expand health care access for underserved populations using funds appropriated for these purposes by the Legislature as provided in this section.
[PL 2001, c. 450, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).]
1.
Support for federally qualified health centers.
The department shall provide support for federally qualified health centers as follows:
A.
Seventy-five thousand dollars in fiscal years 2001-02 and 2002-03 as the state Medicaid match to contract for Medicaid outstationing services at federally qualified health centers;
[PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. JJJ, §1 (AMD).]
B.
Six hundred ninety-nine thousand, one hundred fifty dollars in fiscal year 2001-02 to federally qualified health centers to support the infrastructure of these programs in providing primary care services to underserved populations. Forty-four thousand, two hundred fifty dollars must be provided to each federally qualified health center with an additional $8,850 for the 2nd and each additional site operated by a federally qualified health center. For the purposes of this paragraph, "site" means a site or sites operated by the federally qualified health center within its scope of service that meet all health center requirements, including providing primary care services, regardless of patients' ability to pay, 5 days a week with extended hours. If there is not sufficient funding to meet the formula in this paragraph, the $699,150 must be allocated in proportion to the formula outlined in this paragraph;
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD).]
C.
Five hundred thousand dollars, beginning with fiscal year 2015-16 and continuing each fiscal year thereafter, to support access to primary medical, behavioral health and dental services to residents of the State in rural and underserved communities and to assist with provider recruitment and retention. Twenty-five thousand dollars must be provided to each federally qualified health center; and
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §2 (AMD).]
D.
Four million dollars in fiscal year 2024-25 to support access to pharmacy services and affordably priced prescription drugs to residents of the State in rural and underserved communities by providing funds to support federally qualified health centers in developing or improving pharmacy services, including without limitation:
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §§1-3 (AMD).]
(1)
Planning, designing, constructing and operating one or more licensed retail pharmacies as part of a federally qualified health center's services;
(2)
Entering into arrangements, including with one or more federally qualified health centers, to expand the availability of prescription drugs purchased and delivered to patients under the federal drug pricing program under Section 340B of the federal Public Health Service Act, 42 United States Code, Section 256b; and
(3)
Expanding access to prescription drugs supplied by one or more federally qualified health centers, including without limitation by increasing the number of locations from which patients may obtain prescription drugs, improving access to prescription drugs through mobile outreach, improving existing pharmacy facilities, expanding the availability of automated pharmacy systems as defined in Title 32, section 13702‑A, subsection 1 or addressing workforce issues related to pharmacy program planning and operation.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §3 (NEW).]
2.
Restriction.
Funding provided under this section may not supplant other sources of funding.
[PL 2001, c. 450, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Allocation of pharmacy services support funding.
Each federally qualified health center may apply for funds made available pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph D by providing the department with a budget and plan for developing or improving pharmacy services and access to affordably priced prescription drugs for its patients. The department shall allocate available funds equitably among all applicants based on the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed development or improvement of patient access to affordably priced prescription drugs and the availability of other pharmacy services in the areas served by a federally qualified health center applying for funds. In developing criteria for awarding available funds, the department shall consult with and consider the recommendations of a statewide association of federally qualified health centers. Any available funds not awarded in fiscal year 2024-25 must be deposited in a nonlapsing account from which awards may be made in subsequent fiscal periods for the purposes set forth in subsection 1, paragraph D.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2001, c. 450, §B1 (NEW). PL 2001, c. 667, §C12 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. JJJ, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §§1-4 (AMD).