Authority: §§ 32.1-102.1 through 32.1-102.12; 32.1-122.01 through 32.1-122.08; and 32.1-123 through 32.1-138.5, Code of Virginia; and P.L. 96-79, as amended, Federal Code; and Title XVIII and Title XIX of the U.S. Social Security Act, Federal Code.
A. 1. This appropriation includes $333,072 the first year and $333,072 the second year from the general fund for the health planning fund in accordance with § 32.1-122.06, Code of Virginia.
2. Excess special fund revenue in the health planning fund in the amount of $31,250 in the first year and $31,250 in the second year will be reverted to the general fund.
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. The Department of Health shall revise annual agreements with the regional health planning agencies to require an annual independent financial audit to examine the use of state funds and the reasonableness of those expenditures.
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. Out of the Special Fund appropriation for this Item, $278,000 the first year and $278,000 the second year is appropriated from statewide indirect cost recoveries of this agency to match federal funds and support the programs of the Center for Quality Health Care Services and Consumer Protection. Amounts recovered in excess of these appropriations shall be deposited to the general fund.
F. In order to improve the training of certified nurse assistants in the Commonwealth, the Department of Health shall provide nursing facilities the maximum flexibility allowed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the provision of on-site training for certified nurse assistants. The Department shall allow facilities to provide such on-site training regardless of the enforcement status of the facility, so long as serious patient health and safety violations are not involved.