68-1-802 - Development of plan for perinatal care.

68-1-802. Development of plan for perinatal care.

(a)  The department is directed to develop a plan to establish a program for the diagnosis and treatment of certain life-threatening conditions present in the perinatal period.

(b)  The program shall assist pregnant women and their fetuses and newborn infants by developing a regionalized system of care, including highly specialized personnel, equipment and techniques, that will decrease the existing high mortality rate and the life-long disabilities that currently prevail in surviving newborn infants.

(c)  No programs shall be planned except those that are specifically funded by appropriations in the annual budget.

[Acts 1974, ch. 645, § 2; 1977, ch. 327, § 2; T.C.A., § 53-128.]