HCS/SCS/SBs 858 & 868 - This act establishes the Healthcare Technology Fund, which shall be administered by the department of social services in accordance with recommendations of the newly created Missouri Healthcare Information Technology Commission, unless otherwise specified by the general assembly. The fund shall be created no later than July 1, 2006 or the effective date of this act, if the effective date is after July 1, 2006. The Missouri Healthcare Information Technology Commission shall consist of 16 members of the General Assembly with 10 members selected by the Governor. The commission is charged with developing and reporting recommendations relating to the expenditure of moneys appropriated to the fund to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2007. The commission expires on April 15, 2007.
Subject to the recommendations of the commission, moneys in the fund shall be used to promote technological advances to improve patient care, decrease administrative burdens, and increase patient and health care provider satisfaction. Any programs or improvements on technology shall include encouragement and implementation of technologies intended to improve the safety, quality and costs of health care services in the state.
The department shall promulgate rules setting forth the procedures and methods for implementing the provisions the section.
This act also provides that no moneys in the fund shall be appropriated or expended for products or services provided by a business or corporation where an elected public official or state employee who has direct decision-making or administrative authority over disbursements from the fund has a certain interest in the business or corporation.
This act also provides that at least twenty-five percent of the funds annually disbursed shall be dedicated to technological upgrades and promotion of technological advances in medically under-served communities and populations.
This act also prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to have a personal identification microchip implanted as a condition of employment. A violation of this provision is a Class A misdemeanor.
This act contains an emergency clause.
ADRIANE CROUSE