FY 2016 Appropriation

The mission of the Utah Department of Health is to protect the public's health by preventing avoidable illness, injury, disability, and premature death; assuring access to affordable, quality health care; and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Funding History

Funding Issues

Baby Watch Early Intervention Caseload

Last year provided one-time funding for ongoing caseload growth.

Dedicated Credits Increase

(1) An increase of $802,200 in dedicated credits in FY 2016 in the Department of Health's Executive Director's Operations line item for $383,700 for potential sales from five new products from the All Payer Claims Database, $250,000 for contract for implementing the Master Person Index, and $168,500 for increased fees in vital records to offset declines in fee quantities. (2) An increase of $10,002,000 in dedicated credits in FY 2016 in the Department of Health's Medicaid Mandatory Services line item which is just a shift from the Medicaid Optional Services line item, but no overall increases for dedicated credits in Medicaid services. (3) $27,500 in ongoing dedicated credits beginning in FY 2016 for the Department of Health for a new federal surplus resale program where state agencies can receive dedicated credits from the sale of property/equipment. (4) For the Department of Health's Disease and Prevention Control line item as dedicated credits - Health: "Grant from the Association of Public Health Laboratories for $148,100. The purpose of this proposal is to establish molecular testing (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) within the Utah Public Health Laboratory. Through this mechanism we explore and implement a cross-testing section process to advance Newborn Screening and the Infectious Disease group. The grant finances research and development work to implement a mandated test. All future cost will be covered completely through revenue generated through test fees."

Health Facility Certification Staffing

Provide ongoing funding for four FTEs to continue more timely inspections of health care facilities to meet state licensing and Medicare/Medicaid certification requirements. The Department of Health internally funded these four extra FTEs for FY 2014. The Department anticipates being able to inspect 100 facilities annually compared to 56 inspections in 2013. The Department indicates the federally-required frequency of inspections is 12.9 months, Utah was at 23 months in 2013. For FY 2014 the State Auditor indicates that the average inspection frequency was 12.9 months with all inspections less than 15.9 months since the last inspection. How Measure Success? (1) Average inspection frequency less than 13 months. (2) No nursing home inspected twice in a 16 month period.

Health Facility State Licensing Staffing

One FTE to perform about 25 inspections and to try and have more timely inspections of state licensed facilities (i.e. - assisted living, personal care agencies, and psychiatric hospitals). The agency indicates that currently state-only facilities are inspected every 4.5 years by 3 FTEs. This appropriation should bring the frequency to every 3.5 years. Health recommends a two year frequency for inspections as ideal. How Measure Success? (1) Facility inspections completed annually. (2) Time between inspections. (3) Class 1 deficiencies per inspection.

Medicaid Caseload Growth

The following areas create costs for the state in Medicaid in FY 2016: (1) estimated increase of 1,900 or 1% clients in FY 2016, (2) $3.9 million for a 2% projected increase in accountable care organization contracts starting in January 2016, (3) $3.0 million for a new federal regulation to provide autism spectrum disorder-related services when medically necessary up to age 21, and (4) $3.1 million for cost increases over which the state has no control due to federal regulation or has opted not to exercise more state control. FY 2014 ended and FY 2015 will likely end under budget which reduces the baseline costs for FY 2016. How Measure Success? HEDIS measures (https://health.utah.gov/myhealthcare/reports/hedis) for access to care and how much appropriate care was received.

Medicaid Management Information System Replacement

Money is for final phases for the replacement of the Medicaid Management Information System. (The Governor had $3.5 million in his budget). The replacement should be complete in FY 2017. How Measure Success? (once project completed) (1) the timeliness and accuracy of processed claims and (2) the amount of time to enroll a new Medicaid provider

New Federal Surplus Property Resale Program

New federal surplus resale program where state agencies can receive dedicated credits from the sale of property/equipment.

Tax on Medicaid and CHIP Health Plans From Federal Health Care Reform

The contracted Medicaid and CHIP health plans for Utah will have about a $3.3 million ongoing cost to them of new taxes as part of federal health care reform. The State has the option to pay this on their behalf and receive the normal state/federal match rate of 30% state and 70% federal. The cost started in January 2014. How Measure Success? Report on distribution of reimbursement of the provider tax.
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $2,886,500,900 from all sources for Health. This is a 4.2 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $479,632,900 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 7.1 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.

Appropriation Adjustments

In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time 02. Capital Development - Unified State Lab$191,400 ($191,400)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$191,400$0General Fund
$0 ($191,400)General Fund, One-time
Prioritized #2 by the subcommittee. Estimated O&M is $747,100.
Accountable Care Organization Administrative Fee$5,390,800$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$1,600,000$0General Fund
$3,790,800$0Federal Funds
Accountable Care Organization Administrative Fee increase from 8.3% to 9%, which is $2M.
Adoption Records Access Amendments$81,200$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$55,000$0General Fund
$26,200$0Dedicated Credits Revenue
"provides for funding, automating, improving, and advertising...a mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry (the registry) and other requests for adoption records." How Measure Success? "Automated system that records use and successful matches of parents and adoptees."
Alzheimer's State Plan Amendments$161,200$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$161,200$0General Fund
"requires the Department of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease and related dementia as a public health issue and implement a state plan for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia."
Anesthesia Services Medicaid Reimbursement Rates$2,931,300$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$870,000$0General Fund
$2,061,300$0Federal Funds
"Medicaid anesthesia services." Health: "It would be a 30 percent increase for [fee-for-service] and [accountable care organization] providers."
ARRA Adjustments$0$11,608,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$11,608,000American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The Legislature expressed interest in reviewing the federal stimulus or American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) money separate from the annual review of federal funds.
Attorney General Dedicated Credit Adjustments$46,800$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$23,400$0General Fund
$23,400$0Federal Funds
This item designates additional funding appropriated to an agency to pay higher costs for Attorney General services, due to statewide and AG-specific compensation increases.
Automatic External Defibrillator Account$0$150,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$150,000GFR - Automatic External Defibrillator Account
Provide $150,000 in one-time spending authority to the Department of Health from the General Fund Restricted - Automatic External Defibrillator Account for FY 2015. The money is already in the account from the 2014 General Session.
Baby Watch Early Intervention Caseload$220,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$220,000$0General Fund
DOH - Baby Watch Early Intervention Caseload - The Legislature funded ongoing caseload with $220,000 one-time for FY 2015. The $220,000 represents a 0.9% increase in ongoing funding for this program. How Measure Success? (1) the proportion of Moderately and Severely delayed infants/toddlers who are served. (2) the number of families reporting that early intervention services have helped their family effectively communicate their child's needs and help their child develop and learn. (3) development closer to typically developing children in the following ways: Acquisition and use of knowledge and skills Use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs Positive social and emotional skills. (4) at least 85% of these children will complete the program with improvement. (5) Continue to serve both severely delayed and moderately delayed children rather than having to restrict this program to only the severely delayed.
Child Care Amendments$88,000$12,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$88,000$0General Fund
$0$12,000General Fund, One-time
About 1,000 child care workers in FY 2015 and 7,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016 who previously paid $15 for a background check to the Department of Public Safety will now pay those fees to the Department of Health. This could result in a shift of revenue of $15,000 in FY 2015 and $105,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016 from dedicated credits to the Department of Public Safety to a deposit in the General Fund. The Department of Health deposits its child care background check fees into the General Fund. Enactment of this legislation could cost the Department of Health from the General Fund $12,000 in FY 2015 and $88,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016 for 1.6 FTEs to process 1,000 child care worker background checks in FY 2015 and 7,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016. The Department of Public Safety will no longer be processing these child care background checks at a dedicated credits cost of $15,000 in FY 2015 and $105,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016.
CHIP Caseload Growth ($3,369,400) ($12,108,000)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
($700,000)$0General Fund
$0 ($2,500,000)General Fund, One-time
($2,669,400) ($9,608,000)Federal Funds
The consensus team estimates an average monthly enrollment of 15,700 for FY 2015. This is lower caseloads than prior forecasts. For FY 2016 the forecast projects enrollment growth of 1.4% or 200 Inflation increases - the Department contracts with two managed care organizations to provide all CHIP medical services. These contracts traditionally have annual increases. For FY 2014 these increases were 0% for one contractor and 9.1% for another contractor. The increase was primarily due to unusually high inpatient mental health expenditures. The forecast has increases in per member per month costs of 1.5% for FY 2015 and 3.0% for FY 2016. Nonlapsing balance - CHIP starts FY 2015 with a $1.4 million in nonlapsing balances which reduces the need for General Fund. The money comes from unspent funds in FY 2014.
Dedicated Credits Increase$10,831,700$148,100
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$10,831,700$148,100Dedicated Credits Revenue
(1) An increase of $802,200 in dedicated credits in FY 2016 in the Department of Health's Executive Director's Operations line item for $383,700 for potential sales from five new products from the All Payer Claims Database, $250,000 for contract for implementing the Master Person Index, and $168,500 for increased fees in vital records to offset declines in fee quantities. (2) An increase of $10,002,000 in dedicated credits in FY 2016 in the Department of Health's Medicaid Mandatory Services line item which is just a shift from the Medicaid Optional Services line item, but no overall increases for dedicated credits in Medicaid services. (3) $27,500 in ongoing dedicated credits beginning in FY 2016 for the Department of Health for a new federal surplus resale program where state agencies can receive dedicated credits from the sale of property/equipment. (4) For the Department of Health's Disease and Prevention Control line item as dedicated credits - Health: "Grant from the Association of Public Health Laboratories for $148,100. The purpose of this proposal is to establish molecular testing (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) within the Utah Public Health Laboratory. Through this mechanism we explore and implement a cross-testing section process to advance Newborn Screening and the Infectious Disease group. The grant finances research and development work to implement a mandated test. All future cost will be covered completely through revenue generated through test fees."
Emergency Medical Services Amendments$10,719,500$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$7,502,100$0Federal Funds
$3,217,400$0Dedicated Credits Revenue
Enacting this bill could increase revenue to a new expendable special revenue fund by $3,217,400 ongoing beginning in FY 2016 and may increase federal funds received by $7,502,100 ongoing beginning in FY 2016. Enactment of this legislation may cost the Department of Health $3,217,400 in expendable special revenue funds and $7,502,100 federal funds annually beginning in FY 2016. These costs are $40,000 for staff and $10,679,500 for increased reimbursement payments to Medicaid providers of ambulance transportation.
Federal Funds Adjustments$0 ($3,289,800)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0 ($3,289,800)Federal Funds
Annual adjustments of federal funds based on agency submission of grant changes.
Health Facility Certification Staffing$357,700$357,700
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$56,000$0General Fund
$0$56,000General Fund, One-time
$301,700$301,700Federal Funds
Provide ongoing funding for four FTEs to continue more timely inspections of health care facilities to meet state licensing and Medicare/Medicaid certification requirements. The Department of Health internally funded these four extra FTEs for FY 2014. The Department anticipates being able to inspect 100 facilities annually compared to 56 inspections in 2013. The Department indicates the federally-required frequency of inspections is 12.9 months, Utah was at 23 months in 2013. For FY 2014 the State Auditor indicates that the average inspection frequency was 12.9 months with all inspections less than 15.9 months since the last inspection. How Measure Success? (1) Average inspection frequency less than 13 months. (2) No nursing home inspected twice in a 16 month period.
Health Facility State Licensing Staffing$86,900$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$86,900$0General Fund
One FTE to perform about 25 inspections and to try and have more timely inspections of state licensed facilities (i.e. - assisted living, personal care agencies, and psychiatric hospitals). The agency indicates that currently state-only facilities are inspected every 4.5 years by 3 FTEs. This appropriation should bring the frequency to every 3.5 years. Health recommends a two year frequency for inspections as ideal. How Measure Success? (1) Facility inspections completed annually. (2) Time between inspections. (3) Class 1 deficiencies per inspection.
Increase Nursing Home Medicaid Rates$13,276,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$9,335,700$0Federal Funds
$3,940,300$0GFR - Nursing Care Facilities Account
Increase Nursing Home Medicaid Rates - The Legislature provided $2 million one-time in FY 2015 to raise nursing home rates 3.6% in Medicaid. This funding would make that rate increase ongoing. In order to keep the cost neutral for the State $110,600 of the appropriation would be used for the increased cost to the State for hospice costs. The number of Medicaid clients in nursing homes has declined annually from a high of 3,130 in FY 2011 to 2,938 clients in FY 2014. This is a decline of 6.1% or 192 clients. How Measure Success? Report on rates implemented.
Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled Direct Staff Salary$673,900$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$200,000$0General Fund
$473,900$0Federal Funds
"Provider care for the intellectually disabled population. The salaries range from $8.50-$9.35 per hour."
Local Public Health Emergency Fund$0$25,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$25,000General Fund, One-time
Assistance to local governments to plan for local health emergencies
Loss of Laboratory FTE$0 ($58,400)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0 ($58,400)General Fund, One-time
During FY 2015 the forensic toxicology section of the state laboratory has been without one FTE for several months. The one-time savings represent the savings the State while this position has remained unfilled.
Maliheh Free Clinic$0$50,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$50,000General Fund, One-time
No Description
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations Into Rural Counties$0$11,118,600
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$3,300,000General Fund, One-time
$0$7,818,600Federal Funds
This one-time cost would cover the claims would come in for up to 18 months under the old fee-for-service system while the State was also prepaying monthly premiums. This would expand Medicaid accountable care organizations into the following counties: Box Elder, Cache, Iron, Summit, Tooele, and Washington. This would take the percentage of Medicaid clients served via accountable care organizations from 70% to 88%. How Measure Success? Keep the Medicaid cost growth rate below the General Fund growth rate.
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations Reimbursement Rates$2,100,000 ($2,100,000)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$2,100,000$0General Fund
$0 ($2,100,000)General Fund, One-time
Enactment of this legislation likely will not materially impact state revenue. Enactment of this legislation may increase ongoing costs to the Department of Health beginning in FY 2017 by $2,000,000 General Fund and $4,700,000 federal funds for increased per member per month reimbursement to Medicaid accountable care organizations. In FY 2018 there may be ongoing costs of $2,100,000 General Fund and $5,000,000 federal funds.
Medicaid Caseload Growth$0$11,000,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$11,000,000General Fund, One-time
The following areas create costs for the state in Medicaid in FY 2016: (1) estimated increase of 1,900 or 1% clients in FY 2016, (2) $3.9 million for a 2% projected increase in accountable care organization contracts starting in January 2016, (3) $3.0 million for a new federal regulation to provide autism spectrum disorder-related services when medically necessary up to age 21, and (4) $3.1 million for cost increases over which the state has no control due to federal regulation or has opted not to exercise more state control. FY 2014 ended and FY 2015 will likely end under budget which reduces the baseline costs for FY 2016. How Measure Success? HEDIS measures (https://health.utah.gov/myhealthcare/reports/hedis) for access to care and how much appropriate care was received.
Medicaid Caseload Reduction$0 ($12,900,000)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0 ($12,900,000)General Fund, One-time
The following areas create costs for the state in Medicaid in FY 2016: (1) estimated increase of 1,900 or 1% clients in FY 2016, (2) $3.9 million for a 2% projected increase in accountable care organization contracts starting in January 2016, (3) $3.0 million for a new federal regulation to provide autism spectrum disorder-related services when medically necessary up to age 21, and (4) $3.1 million for cost increases over which the state has no control due to federal regulation or has opted not to exercise more state control. FY 2014 ended and FY 2015 will likely end under budget which reduces the baseline costs for FY 2016.
Medicaid Dental Reimbursement Rates$6,738,500$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$2,000,000$0General Fund
$4,738,500$0Federal Funds
"Increase reimbursement rates to pediatric dental providers." A $2 million ongoing General Fund increase would raise rates about 12%.
Medicaid Management Information System Replacement$0$50,500,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$5,050,000General Fund, One-time
$0$45,450,000Federal Funds
Money is for final phases for the replacement of the Medicaid Management Information System. (The Governor had $3.5 million in his budget). The replacement should be complete in FY 2017. How Measure Success? (once project completed) (1) the timeliness and accuracy of processed claims and (2) the amount of time to enroll a new Medicaid provider
Medicaid Physician Reimbursement Rates$8,423,200$8,423,200
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$2,500,000$0General Fund
$0$2,500,000General Fund, One-time
$5,923,200$5,923,200Federal Funds
Utah Medical Association: "Description is that funding flows through the DOH to the Medicaid insurance plans to the physicians to keep reimbursement rates at Medicaid reimbursement rates at for Primary care providers at Medicare rates which are still less than 70% of commercial rates but much higher than Medicaid rates were before the federal government bumped primary care rates up for two years." Health: "The $6 million figure would increase rates about 22% and be about 1.5% short of Medicare rates...$6.3 million in [General Fund] is needed to get the entire way there."
Nurse Family Partnership$0$1,000,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$1,000,000Federal Funds
"Early and intensive interventions in high-risk pregnancies and family situations up to 2 years of age to improve outcomes and decrease short and long-term social services costs."
Office of Medical Examiner 24/7 Body Pick Up$58,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$58,000$0General Fund
"Fund 3 part-time additional morgue clerks so that funeral homes can deliver and pick up bodies from the Medical Examiner's office 24/7 - currently restricted pick up times."
Parkinson Disease Registry$0$200,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$200,000General Fund, One-time
"Public health." "Little is known about the casuses and treatment of this devasting disease and why the incidence of the disease is increasing so fast in Utah. To learn that information is the purpose of the Utah Parkinson's Disease Registry." "The [Parkinson Disease Registry] is housed at the University fo Utah, along with the Utah Cancer Registry and the Utah Autism Registry…the Parkinson's Disease Registry is requesting $200,000 one-time money…to make the Registry fully functional."
Pilot Program for Assistance for Children with Disabilities and Complex Medical Conditions$0$10,835,600
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$3,216,000General Fund, One-time
$0$7,619,600Federal Funds
"This bill directs the Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid waiver for children with disabilities and complex medical conditions." How Measure Success? "Waiver services will be less costly than costs that would have been incurred if the child was served in a nursing facility." Fiscal Note: $3,333,600 ongoing; ($940,100) one-time GF
Portability - Transfer IN - DOH to DHS ($340,400)$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
($340,400)$0General Fund
Transfer ongoing General Fund of $1,466,000 for portability and transition programs beginning in FY 2015 from the Department of Health's Medicaid Optional Services to the Department of Human Services' Division of Services for People with Disabilities. The clients associated with the funding have already transferred from Health to Human Services. This adjustment facilitates the funding following the person. Both the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services agree with this transfer.
Prescription Drug Abuse, Misuse, and Overdose Prevention$0$500,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$500,000General Fund, One-time
Fund public outreach prevention program targeting opioid misuse and death. How Measure Success? 15% decrease in opioid overdoses by 15% over the next two years.
Primary Care Grants$600,000$1,400,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$600,000$0General Fund
$0$1,400,000General Fund, One-time
"increase access for uninsured."
Radon Grant Continuation$0$25,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$25,000General Fund, One-time
DEQ was informed by the federal government that radon grant program funding would be discontinued. However, the funding has continued.
Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program$600,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$300,000$0General Fund
$300,000$0Dedicated Credits Revenue
"This bill creates the Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program." How Measure Success? "Number of physicians working in the program as determined by actual allocation of funding."
Tax on Medicaid and CHIP Health Plans From Federal Health Care Reform$10,983,800$967,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$3,260,000$0General Fund
$0$287,000General Fund, One-time
$7,723,800$680,000Federal Funds
The contracted Medicaid and CHIP health plans for Utah will have about a $3.3 million ongoing cost to them of new taxes as part of federal health care reform. The State has the option to pay this on their behalf and receive the normal state/federal match rate of 30% state and 70% federal. The cost started in January 2014. How Measure Success? Report on distribution of reimbursement of the provider tax.
Technology Dependent Waiver Capacity Expansion$1,054,900$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$313,100$0General Fund
$741,800$0Federal Funds
this will fund 10 of the 75 Medicaid individuals on the waiting list for this waiver. The 10 to be served are chosen based on severity of needs and duration of time on the waiting list. The Department of Health indicates that these individuals are being served currently in higher cost settings and are not all on Medicaid, but there will be no savings from expanding the waiver as the agency estimates new individuals to take up the higher cost settings freed up by new waiver clients. The waiver currently serves about 110 individuals. The waiver allows parental income to be excluded when determining an individual's eligibility for Medicaid. About 75% of the 10 individual's costs will be for regular Medicaid services and 25% for the waiver costs. How Measure Success? Count and cost of new individuals enrolled (via annual cost effectiveness report to federal government).
Traumatic Brain Injury Fund$200,000$625,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$200,000$0General Fund
$0$625,000Beginning Nonlapsing
"Resource facilitation, education, and counseling for [traumatic brain injury] patients."
Use 3% Maximum from Nursing Restricted Account for Administration ($12,300) ($12,300)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
($12,300)$0General Fund
$0 ($12,300)General Fund, One-time
$0$0GFR - Nursing Care Facilities Account
By statute 3% of the Nursing Care Facilities Account can be used for administration. The account was recently increased in FY 2014 and the administration is not currently at 3%. The reduction represents an exchange of these restricted account funds for General Fund and takes the State to using 3% on administration based on projected collections.
Utah Emergency Medical Services System Act Amendments$11,100$57,600
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$11,100$57,600Dedicated Credits Revenue
The Department of Health will receive an ongoing increase in dedicated credits beginning in FY 2016 of $33,100 with additional one-time increases in FY 2016 and FY 2017 of $84,800. Enactment of this legislation may cost the Department of Public Safety $12,500 for 0.25 FTE from dedicated credits to process background check applications. The Department of Public Safety will have pass through costs from dedicated credits to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for fingerprint background checks of $9,500 ongoing beginning in FY 2016 and one-time costs in FY 2016 and FY 2017 of $27,200. The bill may cost the Department of Health $11,100 ongoing dedicated credits beginning in FY 2016 and one-time costs of $57,600 in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for FTE time to process background check applications and background computer system upgrades and maintenance.
Workforce Financial Assistance - Loan Forgiveness to Serve in Underserved Areas$0$700,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$600,000General Fund, One-time
$0$100,000Federal Funds
"Partial loan forgiveness for health care professionals."
Staff Analysis

Utah Ranked 5th Healthiest State by America's Health Rankings Report

America's Health Rankings (http://www.americashealthrankings.org/) for 2014 ranks Utah as the 5th healthiest state. Utah ranked first or second place rank for being best in the following five core measures:

  1. Cancer deaths per 100,000 population
  2. Percentage of adults who are smokers
  3. Percentage of children living in poverty
  4. Preventable hospitalization for Medicare clients
  5. Percent of adult population with diabetes

Utah's worst five rankings included:

  1. Drug deaths per 100,000 population (46th place)
  2. New pertussis cases per 100,000 population (45th place)
  3. Primary care physicians per 100,000 population (44th place)
  4. Percentage of children ages 13 to 17 years having received recommended vaccines (44th place)

How Did Utah do in Meeting Healthy People 2010 Goals?

Of the 467 national health goals for 2010 set in 2001 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Utah selected 105 as its priorities. Select areas where Utah met its health goals in 2010 include:

  1. Hospitalizations for influenza and pneumonia per 10,000 adults over age 65 - goal of 7.9 vs actual of 3.3
  2. Untreated dental decay in children ages 6 to 8 - goal of 21% vs actual of 16.7%
  3. Coronary heart disease deaths per 100,000 people - goal of 162 vs actual of 67.5
  4. Adolescent smoking - goal of 16% vs actual of 8.5

Select areas where Utah did not meet its health goal in 2010:

  1. Pertussis cases in Utah for children under age - goal of 20 vs actual of 56
  2. Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births - goal of 4.3 vs actual of 15.3
  3. Diabetes per 1,000 people - goal of 25 vs actual of 72
  4. Adolescent suicides per 100,000 - goal of 5 vs actual of 11.4

For more information please visit http://health.utah.gov/opha/publications/hsu/1203_HP2010.pdf.

118 Paid Leave Hours for 17 Bad Air Days

On December 17, 2013, the Department of Health began a policy of allowing up to one hour of paid leave for employees taking public transportation on red alert air quality days (bad air days). There were 17 bad air days subsequent to the start of this policy through February 2014. The Department paid 118 leave hours in connection with this policy.

Why $18.5 Million in Unspent General Fund for the Department of Health in FY 2014?

The Department of Health did not spend $18.5 million or 4% of its General Fund for FY 2014. The Legislature allowed the Department to retain $0.5 million or 3% of the unexpended balance in nonlapsing funds. Of this $18.5 million, $18.0 million came from Medicaid and $0.5 million from the rest of the Department's budget. The unspent Medicaid balance primarily comes from higher than projected recoveries from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Office of the Inspector General and lower than projected enrollment.

The $0.5 million from the non-Medicaid portion of the Department of Health represents 0.6% of all non-Medicaid General Fund provided to the Department of Health. The savings for Health primarily come from fees and revenue transfers exceeding expenditures.

Utah Department of Health Strategic Plan 2013 - 2016 - the Department of Health identifies the following four strategic goals: (1) healthiest people, (2) health in health reform, (3) transform Medicaid, and (4) a great organization. The full report is available at http://health.utah.gov/about/documents/StrategicPlan_2014print.pdf. The following are some of the strategies listed to reach its goals:

  1. "Identify a set health measures to evaluate the health of Utahns compared with residents of other states."
  2. "Increase awareness of factors causing premature birth and infant mortality, and promote healthy lifestyles that contribute to optimal pregnancy outcomes."
  3. "Improve health before conception."
  4. "Improve use of early prenatal care and quality neonatal care."
  5. "Develop a prevention and health reform toolbox for business leaders, policy makers, and health care professionals."
  6. "Develop an educational campaign to improve knowledge and use of prevention and wellness services offered through health insurance policies."
  7. "Growth rate in per member/per month ACO costs should be equal to or lower than the growth rate of state revenue."
  8. "Improve disease management of diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions for Medicaid enrollees."
  9. "Improve the efficiency and transparency of business processes by using the SharePoint environment."

The following are performance measures tracked within this organization.

Statute

The Utah Health Code in Title 26 of the Utah Code governs the Utah Department of Health.

  • UCA 26-1 authorizes and establishes the Department; authorizes the Health Advisory Council; and outlines the powers and duties of the Department. It also authorizes the Department of Health to establish methods or measures for health care providers, public health entities, and health care insurers to coordinate among themselves to verify the identity of the individuals they serve.
  • UCA 26-18 creates the Medical Assistance Act, the joint federal/state program that provides health care services to select populations, commonly known as Medicaid.
  • UCA 26-23 grants enforcement authority and penalty provisions to the Department.
  • UCA 26-25 limits the usage of confidential medical information obtained by the Department.
  • UCA 26-26 requires institutions to obtain the Department's authorization to obtain impounded animals for scientific and educational activities.

Related Links

Annual Audit of the Department of Health by the State Auditor

Many of the reports produced by the Department of Health and required by statute can be found at http://health.utah.gov/legislativereports/index.html.

The Utah Department of Health lists the following objectives as three of its major goals:

  1. To be among the healthiest of all state populations by promoting healthy communities, healthy behaviors, and an improved health care system.
  2. Assure that health care reform improves health and reduces health care costs, by focusing on prevention as well as improving access to care, quality of care, and cost of care.
  3. Transform Medicaid to improve health outcomes and reduce cost by aligning provider payment incentives with the desired outcomes of improved health and reduced costs, while preserving access to care.

Twelve local health departments cover all areas of the State and provide local public health services. The State utilizes local health departments to administer many of the services required by State law.

Significant Factors Impacting the Budget

The Utah Department of Health's budget is affected by five primary factors.

These factors include:

  1. Federal mandates: requirements for using federal funds, including entitlement programs.
  2. Enrollment growth, driven by: demographics, especially the aging of the population; and State and federal program changes and funding.
  3. The Utah State economy, which impacts the: federal allocation of funding; and number of qualifying individuals.
  4. Inflationary factors: general inflation; medical inflation; fuel and transportation costs; provider personnel expenses.
  5. Program changes which may increase program costs.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 75

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Department of Health's Executive Director's Office in Item 20 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to $225,000 for computer equipment, information technology hosting and storage costs, software development, and employee training.

HB0003: Item 75

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Department of Health's Executive Director's Office in Item 20 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to $375,000 for: (1) federal indirect reimbursement of $150,000 due to an over-collection of Department of Technology Services encryption costs during FY 2015. The federal reimbursement will be reflected in lower indirect rates for Fiscal Year 2016; (2) Rewrite of the Utah Medical Examiners Database and the Electronic Death Entry Network which do not support mobile device and broad Internet interfaces; (3) Replacement of personal computers, software development, and information technology equipment in Executive Directors Office; and (4) Temporary Information Technology Manager to support server consolidation efforts and implementation of the Change Management initiative.

HB0003: Item 75

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health prepare proposed performance measures for all new state funding or TANF federal funds for building blocks and give this information to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by June 30, 2015. At a minimum the proposed measures should include those presented to the Subcommittee during the requests for funding. If the same measures are not included, a detailed explanation as to why should be included. The Department of Health shall provide its first report on its performance measures to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by October 31, 2015. The Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall give this information to the legislative staff of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.

HB0003: Item 75

The Legislature intends the departments of Health, Human Services, and Workforce Services and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation provide to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by June 1, 2015 a report outlining how funds are distributed within the state when passed through to local government entities or allocated to various regions and how often these distributions are reviewed and altered to reflect the relevant factors associated with the programs. (1) Is the program considered a statewide program (this would include something that serves all rural areas)? a. Is the implementation of the program really statewide? If not, is there a compelling reason why? (2) Who gets the money (by county)? (3) What is the methodology for distributing the money? a. How does the distribution compare to actual need as expressed by population? i. [If distributions are not reflecting current need (as represented by population), please explain why not?] b. If not done by population, what is the reason? (4) Does statute say anything about distribution and equity for the program?

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $50,000 of Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014, funds appropriated for the Department of Health's Assistance for People with Bleeding Disorders Program shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to services to eligible clients.

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $250,000 of Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 for the Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to testing, certifications, background screenings, replacement testing equipment and testing supplies.

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that civil money penalties collected for the Department of Health's Child Care Licensing and Health Care Licensing in Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 from childcare and health care provider violations shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to trainings for providers and staff, as well as upgrades to the Child Care Licensing database.

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $245,000 of Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 for the Department of Health's Family Health and Preparedness line item not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to health facility licensure and certification activities.

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $210,000 of Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 from fees collected for the purpose of plan reviews by the Department of Health's Bureau of Health Facility Licensure, Certification and Resident Assessment shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to plan review activities.

HB0003: Item 76

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that criminal fines and forfeiture money collected for the Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services in Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to purposes outlined in Section 26-8a-207(2).

HB0003: Item 77

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $500,000 of Item 22 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014, for the Department of Health's Disease Control and Prevention line item for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention reduction, cessation, and control programs shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, reduction, cessation, and control programs or for emergent disease control and prevention needs.

HB0003: Item 77

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $525,000 of Item 22 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 for the Department of Health's Disease Control and Prevention line item shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to laboratory equipment, computer equipment, software, and building improvements.

HB0003: Item 77

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $175,000 of Item 22 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 for the Department of Health's Disease Control and Prevention line item shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to maintenance or replacement of computer equipment, software, or other purchases or services that improve or expand the services provided by the Bureau of Epidemiology.

HB0003: Item 77

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that up to $250,000 of Item 21 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 fees collected for the Newborn Screening Program shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to maintenance, upgrading, replacement, or purchase of laboratory or computer equipment and software.

HB0003: Item 78

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends up to $475,000 provided for the Department of Health's Medicaid and Health Financing line item in Item 24 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of nonlapsing funds is limited to compliance with federally mandated projects and the purchase of computer equipment and software.

HB0003: Item 78

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends up to $1,000,000 provided for the Department of Health's Medicaid and Health Financing line item in Item 70 of Chapter 282, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of nonlapsing funds is limited to the purchase of telehealth equipment.

HB0003: Item 79

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, funds collected as a result of sanctions imposed under Section 1919 of Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act and authorized in Section 26-18-3 of the Utah Code shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the purposes outlined in Section 1919.

HB0003: Item 81

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends up to $3,500,000 provided for the Department of Health's Medicaid Management Information System Replacement in Item 72 of Chapter 282, Laws of Utah 2014 shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the redesign and replacement of the Medicaid Management Information System.

SB0002: Item 68

The Legislature intends the Departments of Workforce Services, Health, Human Services, and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation provide a report regarding each agency's highest cost individuals and possible efficiencies through coordination, early intervention, and prevention. The Legislature further intends these agencies provide a report to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by September 1, 2015. The report shall include the following regarding high cost individuals: 1) a summary, by program, of individuals receiving services in excess of $100,000 total fund annually in any given agency, what percentage of total costs is spent on these individuals, and what the agency is doing to manage these costs in an efficient manner, 2) an assessment of these high cost individuals receiving services from multiple agencies, 3) a description of agency coordination regarding high cost individuals accompanied by a list of areas where agencies specifically coordinate on these high cost individuals, 4) recommendations regarding how best to serve these high cost individuals in least restrictive settings where appropriate and consistent with choice, and 5) recommendation on how agency efforts might better be coordinated across programs.

SB0002: Item 68

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health prepare proposed performance measures for all new state funding or TANF federal funds for building blocks and give this information to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by June 30, 2015. At a minimum the proposed measures should include those presented to the Subcommittee during the requests for funding. If the same measures are not included, a detailed explanation as to why should be included. The Department of Health shall provide its first report on its performance measures to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by October 31, 2015. The Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall give this information to the legislative staff of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.

SB0002: Item 72

The Legislature intends that the Inspector General of Medicaid Services pay the Attorney General's Office the full state cost of the one attorney FTE that it is using at the Department of Health.

SB0002: Item 75

The Legislature intends that with the funding appropriated for the building block titled, "Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled," the Department of Health shall: 1) Direct funds to increase the salaries of direct care workers; 2) Increase only those rates which include a direct care service component, including respite; 3) Monitor providers to ensure that all funds appropriated are applied to direct care worker wages and that none of the funding goes to administrative functions or provider profits; In conjunction with Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled providers, report to the Office of the Legislature Fiscal Analyst no later than September 1, 2015 regarding: 1) the implementation and status of increasing salaries for direct care workers, 2) a detailed explanation with supporting documentation of how Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled providers are reimbursed, including all accounting codes used and the previous and current rates for each accounting code, and 3) a conceptual explanation of how Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled providers realize profit within the closed market of providing Intermediate Care Facilities - Intellectually Disabled services.

SB0002: Item 75

The Legislature intends that, if funds are available, Medicaid fee-for-service payments for anesthesia services be increased from the current amount of $18.27 to $23.73 for Fiscal Year 2016.

SB0002: Item 75

The Legislature intends that 5% of all funds provided in the Medicaid program for managed care dental plans be used for contracted plan administration and that any funds provided for the Affordable are Act premium tax not be included in that 5% administrative funds amount.

SB0003: Item 113

The $1,000,000 in federal funds appropriated for the Nurse Family Partnership in the Department of Health in the Family Health and Preparedness line item is dependent upon the availability of and qualification for the Nurse Family Partnership for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families federal funds.

SB0003: Item 116

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code the Legislature intends that up to $75,000 funds of Item 22 of Chapter 13, Laws of Utah 2014, not otherwise designated as nonlapsing to the Department of Health - Disease Control and Prevention line item shall not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is for services to people with traumatic brain injury.

SB0003: Item 121

The Legislature intends that the Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations receive a scheduled two percent increase effective January 1, 2016 consistent with the intent of S.B. 180, 2011 General Session.

SB0003: Item 123

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code the Legislature intends that up to $3,216,000 of the appropriations provided for the Medicaid Optional Services line item not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2016. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to a pilot program for assistance for children with disabilities and complex medical conditions to be used in similar amounts over three years with the goal of serving a similar number of clients over three years.

SB0003: Item 197

The Legislature intends that the $75,000 in Beginning Nonlapsing provided to the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund is dependent upon up to $75,000 funds not otherwise designated as nonlapsing to the Department of Health - Disease Control and Prevention line item being retained as nonlapsing in FY 2015.

SB0003: Item 197

The Legislature intends that the $550,000 in Beginning Nonlapsing provided to the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund is dependent upon up to $550,000 funds not otherwise designated as nonlapsing to the Department of Health - Medicaid and Health Financing line item being retained as nonlapsing in FY 2015.

SB0007S01: Item 1

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Family Health and Preparedness line item: (1) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in social-emotional skills, including social relationships (Goal = 70% or more), (2) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in their rate of growth in acquisition and use of knowledge and skills, including early language/communication and early literacy (Goal = 75% or more), (3) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in their rate of growth in the use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs (Goal = 75% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Disease Control and Prevention line item: (1) Gonorrhea cases per 100,000 population (Target = 18.9 people or less), (2) Percentage of Adults Who Are Current Smokers (Target = 9%), and (3) Percentage of Toxicology Cases Completed within 14 day Goal (Target = 100%) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health research and report government entities paying for services that could be provided by the State Laboratory and give this information to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by September 1, 2015. The report shall include: (1) the name of the government entity, (2) amount paid for the service, (3) what the cost would be if the service was provided by the State Laboratory, and (4) any potential barriers to the State Laboratory for bidding on those services. The Department of Health shall also detail its assumptions for its costs on all laboratory services that government entities are purchasing in the private sector.

SB0007S01: Item 3

All General Funds appropriated to the Department of Health - Medicaid and Health Financing line item are contingent upon expenditures from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1, 111th United States Congress) not exceeding amounts appropriated from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in all appropriation bills passed for fiscal year 2016. If expenditures in the Medicaid and Health Financing line item from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act exceed amounts appropriated to the Medicaid and Health Financing line item from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in fiscal year 2016, the Division of Finance shall reduce the General Fund allocations to the Medicaid and Health Financing line item by one dollar for every one dollar in Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expenditures that exceed Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriations.

SB0007S01: Item 3

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid and Health Financing line item: (1) average decision time on pharmacy prior authorizations (Target = 24 hours or less), (2) percent of clean claims adjudicated within 30 days of submission (Target = 98%), and (3) total count of Medicaid and CHIP clients educated on proper benefit use and plan selection (Target = 90,000 or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 4

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Children's Health Insurance Program line item: (1) percentage of children (less than 15 months old) that received at least six or more well-child visits (Target = 52% or more), (2) percentage of members (12 - 21 years of age) who had at least one comprehensive well-care visit (Target = 39% or more), and (3) percentage of children 5-11 years of age with persistent asthma who were appropriately prescribed medication (Target = 94% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 5

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report quarterly to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst on the status of replacing the Medicaid Management Information System replacement beginning September 30, 2015. The reports should include, where applicable, the responses to any requests for proposals. At least one report during FY 2016 should include the first estimate of net ongoing impacts to the State from the new system.

SB0007S01: Item 5

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid Mandatory Services line item: (1) percent of adults age 45-64 with ambulatory or preventive care visits (Target = 88% or more), (2) percent of deliveries that had a post partum visit between 21 and 56 days after delivery (Target = 60% or more), and (3) percent of customers satisfied with their managed care plan (Target = 85% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 6

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid Optional Services line item: (1) annual state general funds saved through preferred drug list (Target = $8.5 million general fund or more), (2) count of new choices waiver clients coming out of nursing homes into community based care (Target = 390 or more), and (3) emergency dental program savings (Target = $250,000 General Fund savings or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 10

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Executive Director's Operations line item: (1) conduct risk assessments for each information system in operation (Target = 123 information systems), (2) 95% of births occurring in a hospital are entered accurately by hospital staff into the electronic birth registration system (Target = 10 calendar days or less), and (3) percentage of all deaths registered using the electronic death registration system (Target = 75% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 11

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Family Health and Preparedness line item: (1) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in social-emotional skills, including social relationships (Goal = 70% or more), (2) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in their rate of growth in acquisition and use of knowledge and skills, including early language/communication and early literacy (Goal = 75% or more), (3) The percent of children who demonstrated improvement in their rate of growth in the use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs (Goal = 75% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 12

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Disease Control and Prevention line item: (1) Gonorrhea cases per 100,000 population (Target = 18.9 people or less), (2) Percentage of Adults Who Are Current Smokers (Target = 9%), and (3) Percentage of Toxicology Cases Completed within 14 day Goal (Target = 100%) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 12

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health research and report government entities paying for services that could be provided by the State Laboratory and give this information to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by September 1, 2015. The report shall include: (1) the name of the government entity, (2) amount paid for the service, (3) what the cost would be if the service was provided by the State Laboratory, and (4) any potential barriers to the State Laboratory for bidding on those services. The Department of Health shall also detail its assumptions for its costs on all laboratory services that government entities are purchasing in the private sector.

SB0007S01: Item 13

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Local Health Departments line item: (1) Number of local health departments that maintain a board of health that annually adopts a budget, appoints a local health officer (LHO), conducts an annual performance review for the LHO, and reports to county commissioners on health issues (Target = 12 or 100%), (2) Number of local health departments that provide communicable disease epidemiology and control services including disease reporting, response to outbreaks, and measures to control tuberculosis (Target = 12 or 100%), and (3) Number of local health departments that maintain a program of environmental sanitation which provides oversight of restaurants food safety, swimming pools, and the indoor clean air act (Target = 12 or 100%) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, (4) Achieve and maintain an effective coverage target rate of 90% for universally recommended vaccinations among young children (35 months of age), (5) Reduce the number of cases of pertussis among children under 1 year of age, and among adolescents aged 11 to 18 years, and (6) Local health departments will increase the number of health and safety related school buildings and premises inspections by 10% (from 80% to 90%).

SB0007S01: Item 14

All General Funds appropriated to the Department of Health - Medicaid and Health Financing line item are contingent upon expenditures from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1, 111th United States Congress) not exceeding amounts appropriated from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in all appropriation bills passed for fiscal year 2016. If expenditures in the Medicaid and Health Financing line item from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act exceed amounts appropriated to the Medicaid and Health Financing line item from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in fiscal year 2016, the Division of Finance shall reduce the General Fund allocations to the Medicaid and Health Financing line item by one dollar for every one dollar in Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expenditures that exceed Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriations.

SB0007S01: Item 14

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid and Health Financing line item: (1) average decision time on pharmacy prior authorizations (Target = 24 hours or less), (2) percent of clean claims adjudicated within 30 days of submission (Target = 98%), and (3) total count of Medicaid and CHIP clients educated on proper benefit use and plan selection (Target = 90,000 or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 15

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on how expenditures from the Medicaid Sanctions line item met federal requirements which constrain its use by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 16

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Children's Health Insurance Program line item: (1) percentage of children (less than 15 months old) that received at least six or more well-child visits (Target = 52% or more), (2) percentage of members (12 - 21 years of age) who had at least one comprehensive well-care visit (Target = 39% or more), and (3) percentage of children 5-11 years of age with persistent asthma who were appropriately prescribed medication (Target = 94% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 17

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report quarterly to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst on the status of replacing the Medicaid Management Information System replacement beginning September 30, 2015. The reports should include, where applicable, the responses to any requests for proposals. At least one report during FY 2016 should include the first estimate of net ongoing impacts to the State from the new system.

SB0007S01: Item 17

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid Mandatory Services line item: (1) percent of adults age 45-64 with ambulatory or preventive care visits (Target = 88% or more), (2) percent of deliveries that had a post partum visit between 21 and 56 days after delivery (Target = 60% or more), and (3) percent of customers satisfied with their managed care plan (Target = 85% or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB0007S01: Item 18

The Legislature intends that the Department of Health report on the following performance measures for the Medicaid Optional Services line item: (1) annual state general funds saved through preferred drug list (Target = $8.5 million general fund or more), (2) count of new choices waiver clients coming out of nursing homes into community based care (Target = 390 or more), and (3) emergency dental program savings (Target = $250,000 General Fund savings or more) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

For analysis of current budget requests and discussion of issues related to this budget click here.

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COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.