TITLE: CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM TO ADDRESS HEPATITIS C, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Fiscal Impact Summary	FY 1999/2000	FY 2000/2001
State Revenues General Fund
State Expenditures* General Fund	$ 431,472	$ 423,572
FTE Position Change	2.0 FTE	2.0 FTE
Other State Impact: None
Effective Date: July 1, 1999
Appropriation Summary for FY 1999-2000: See State Appropriations section of the fiscal note. Department of Public Health and Environment General Fund$ 431,472 FTE 2.0
Local Government Impact: None

The reengrossed bill requires the executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) to design and implement a Hepatitis C Education and Screening Program and stipulates the elements the program shall include. The bill also requires that the program be implemented within available appropriations, and if available appropriations are inadequate to fund the entire program, the program shall be implemented in stages. These stages are identified in the bill. Lastly, the bill authorizes DPHE to implement a system to investigate, collect, analyze, and report data regarding Hepatitis C, once the program has been fully implemented and contingent upon available resources.

As amended by the House of Representatives, the bill declares the intent of the General Assembly to provide funding for the Hepatitis C Program for FY 1999-00, and requires DPHE, on or before January 1, 2000, to report to the Joint Budget Committee on the effectiveness of and necessity for the Hepatitis C Program in order to determine the reasonableness and amount of any future funding for the program. The bill includes an appropriation clause of $200,000 GF to the department.

The total cost of implementing the program is $431,472 General Fund and 2.0 FTE in FY 1999-00 and $423,572 General Fund and 2.0 FTE in FY 2000-01. However, the bill provides for the program to be implemented in stages.

Stage One — requires DPHE to coordinate with other agencies and organizations to identify high-risk populations, implement a model screening process, and provide referral services for obtaining treatment of Hepatitis C. The cost of implementing stage one only is estimated at $350,561 General Fund and 0.8 FTE in FY 1999-00 and $347,401 General Fund and 0.8 FTE in FY 2000-01. Stage one costs include personal services and operating expenses for 0.8 FTE Epidemiologist III ($39,701); contract costs ($24,000); laboratory tests ($111,960); pretest counseling ($139,000); and post-test counseling ($35,900).

Stage Two — requires DPHE to provide education and outreach services to those individuals at risk for Hepatitis C in addition to the general public, and to collect analyze, and report findings of Hepatitis C testing and surveillance. First-years costs for Stage Two are estimated at $80,911, and this stage could begin in conjunction with Stage One or at a later date. Second-year costs for Stage Two are estimated at $76,171. Additional funding is required for personal services (1.2 FTE), operating expenses, and contractual services.

The fiscal note indicates that for FY 1999-00, the Department of Public Health and Environment should receive a General Fund appropriation of $431,472 and 2.0 FTE to design and implement the total Hepatitis C Program. Should the General Assembly elect to fund only Stage One of the program, a General Fund appropriation of $350,561 and 0.8 FTE would be required.

The reengrossed bill includes an appropriation of $200,000 General Fund to the department with no added FTE authorization. Based on the appropriation provided in the House of Representatives, it can be surmised that the General Assembly wishes to provide a set amount of funding for the Hepatitis C Program. Should the bill go forward with this appropriation, the department will have to adjust or eliminate certain components of Stage One in order to remain within the appropriation.