A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE Department of Health and Human Services TO REIMBURSE HOME HEALTH PROVIDERS FOR TELEMONITORING OF PATIENTS IN THEIR HOMES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of three million dollars ($3,000,000) for the 2006‑2007 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to reimburse Home Health Providers for telemonitoring of patients in their homes.
SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall implement a statewide demonstration program by October 1, 2006, and shall evaluate the program as a tool to improve the health of home‑based individuals through increased monitoring and responsiveness resulting in increased stabilization rates and decreased hospitalization rates.  Not later than April 1, 2007, the Department shall report to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the implementation of the program.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2006.