Authority: §§ 32.1-102.1 through 32.1-102.12 and 32.1-122.01 through 32.1-122.08, Code of Virginia; and P.L. 96-79, as amended, Federal Code.

A.1. This appropriation includes $755,687 the first year and $755,687 $528,687 the second year from the general fund for the health planning fund in accordance with § 32.1-122.06, Code of Virginia.

2. The appropriation reduction in this paragraph pursuant to productivity savings is reflected in Item 543.05 of this act.

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 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 shall be reappropriated for expenditure by the regional health planning agencies in the succeeding fiscal year.

3. All expenditures made by the regional health planning agencies which are supported from balances specified in B 1 and B 2 shall be audited annually by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

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 continue implementation of the "Five-Year Action Plan: Improving Access to Primary Health Care Services in Medically Underserved Areas and Populations of the Commonwealth." A minimum of $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to the Virginia Office of Rural Health, as the state match for the federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grant. The Commissioner is authorized to contract for services to accomplish the plan.

E. The Department shall report on the efficacy of the statewide provider database that was to be established as part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Practice Sights" grant. The Department's report shall (i) identify the reasons for not having completed the development of the system during the "Practice Sights" grant period; (ii) identify what additional actions and resources are needed to complete the development of the provider database; and (iii) establish a timeframe for completing and implementing the database. The Department shall complete its review and report its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, and the Joint Commission on Health Care, by September 15, 2000.