(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
There is a shortage of qualified health care professionals in most areas of the state,particularly in rural and low-income communities;
Lack of access to health care increases health inequities in Colorado and increasesthe overall cost of health care services;
Communities designated as health professional shortage areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations may benefit from:
Federal, state, and private programs that enhance reimbursement for medical services,provide grants for health service infrastructure, and create incentives for the placement of additional health care professionals in those communities; and
The placement of physicians through federal waiver programs such as the nationalinterest waiver program, the Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver program, and the national health service corps; and
(d) Assessing the health service needs of the state and coordinating workforce programs to address those needs is an important strategy for increasing access to health services in Colorado.
(2) The general assembly therefore finds that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the state of Colorado to create the primary care office within the department of public health and environment for the purpose of identifying the areas within the state that lack sufficient health care resources and coordinating available resources to maximize medical reimbursements, grants, and placements of health care professionals within those areas.
Source: L. 2013: Entire part added with relocations, (HB 13-1074), ch. 150, p. 479, § 1, effective August 7.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 25-20.5-601 as it existed prior to 2013.