Bill Text: PA HR407 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of the Patient Safety Authority relating to its impact on the reduction of medical errors and promotion of patient safety.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-09-27 - Referred to HUMAN SERVICES [HR407 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR407-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2411
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 407 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY MUNDY, KULA, BISHOP, V. BROWN, BROWNLEE, CARROLL, DeLUCA, DePASQUALE, FABRIZIO, HARKINS, KAVULICH, KORTZ, MAHONEY, MOUL, MURPHY, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, READSHAW, SANTARSIERO, SCHRODER, K. SMITH, STABACK, WAGNER AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the Patient Safety Authority relating to
its impact on the reduction of medical errors and promotion
of patient safety.
WHEREAS, When the General Assembly enacted the act of March
20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care
Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, it established
the Patient Safety Authority to reduce and eliminate medical
errors by identifying problems and recommending solutions that
promote patient safety in hospitals, ambulatory surgical
facilities, birthing centers and certain abortion facilities;
and
WHEREAS, When the General Assembly enacted the act of July
20, 2007 (P.L.331, No.52), it provided for additional
responsibilities of the Patient Safety Authority with regard to
health care-associated infections as defined under the Medical
Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, including
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the creation and conduct of training programs for infection
control teams, health care workers and physical plant personnel
about the prevention and control of health care-associated
infections; and
WHEREAS, Recent economic trends raise serious questions
regarding the ability of the Commonwealth to continue funding
State agencies that do not successfully carry out their mission;
and
WHEREAS, The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee has not
completed a study on the Patient Safety Authority since its
inception in 2002; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a
comprehensive study of the Patient Safety Authority to determine
if the duties put forth by the Medical Care Availability and
Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act and the act of July 20, 2007
(P.L.331, No.52) are performed by the Patient Safety Authority;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
identify all programs, services and functions funded through the
Patient Safety Trust Fund and determine their costs and service
or activity levels, examine all Patient Safety Trust Fund
programs, services and functions and analyze projections of
future program demand, service levels and associated costs and
determine the current and projected financial condition of the
Patient Safety Trust Fund; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine whether the composition of the Patient Safety
Authority board of directors is appropriate for the work it is
mandated to accomplish; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine if changes to law, regulation or policy are needed to
achieve the desired results put forth by the Medical Care
Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act and the act of
July 20, 2007 (P.L.331, No.52) and; be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
recommend whether the existence of the Patient Safety Authority
should sunset; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
prepare a report of its findings and transmit copies of the
report to the Health Committee, the Insurance Committee, the
Finance Committee and the Appropriations Committee of the House
of Representatives no later than six months after adoption of
this resolution.
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