(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Rural Health Services Development Program be funded annually through the budgetary process.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may, to the extent funds are available, provide for advance payments for services to be performed under any contract entered into pursuant to this chapter with any small community based public or private nonprofit agency with modest reserves and potential cash flow problems, where the department determines that such advance payments will further the purposes of this chapter. Advance payments shall not be made more than once a year.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1996.)