Authority: §§ 32.1-102.1 through 32.1-102.11 and 32.1-122.01 through 32.1-122.08, Code of Virginia; and P.L. 96-79, as amended, Federal Code.

A. This appropriation includes $755,687 the first year and $755,687 the second year from the general fund for the health planning fund in accordance with § 32.1-122.06, Code of Virginia.

B. Supplemental funding for the regional health planning agencies shall be provided from the following sources:

1. Special funds from Certificate of Public Need application fees in excess of those required to operate the Office of Health Resources Development, provided that the Office may retain special fund balances each year not in excess of one month's operational needs in case of revenue shortfalls in the subsequent year.

2. General fund appropriations in this item unexpended at the end of each year of the biennium. Such general fund appropriations shall be reappropriated for expenditure by the regional health planning agencies in the succeeding fiscal year.

C. Failure of any regional health planning agency to establish or sustain business operations shall cause funds to revert to the Central Office to support health planning and Certificate of Public Need functions.

D. The Commissioner of Health shall develop a detailed five-year action plan for improving access to primary health care services in medically underserved areas and populations of the Commonwealth and submit the plan to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, the House Appropriations Committee, the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee, and the Joint Commission on Health Care by October 1, 1996. The plan shall include: (i) an assessment of medically underserved regions and populations of the Commonwealth and the need for primary care development in those areas and populations; and (ii) a summary of the Department of Health's current efforts to address identified needs through its Center for Primary Care Resource Development and a detailed plan for the future, including resource needs. In developing the plan, the Commissioner shall consult with the Virginia Health Care Foundation, the Virginia Primary Care Association, the Statewide Area Health Education Centers Program, Virginia's academic health centers, the Joint Commission on Health Care, and other entities involved in primary care development in medically underserved areas and populations of the Commonwealth.