MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      February 23, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services was called to order by Chairman Jan Evans at 1:17 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 1993, in Room 330 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda, Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mrs. Jan Evans, Chairman

      Mrs. Vivian L. Freeman, Vice Chairman

      Ms. Kathy M. Augustine

      Ms. Marcia de Braga

      Mr. James A. Gibbons

      Mr. Dean A. Heller

      Mr. William A. Petrak

      Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom

      Ms. Stephanie Smith

      Mr. Louis A. Toomin

      Mr. Wendell P. Williams

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      None

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

      None

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Kerry Carroll Davis, Research Analyst

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

      Debbie Cahill and Peggy Bowen, Nevada State Education Association; Sharon Ezell, Health Division; Marsha Berkbigler, Nevada State Medical Association; David Rowles, Clark County Health District; Marty Atherton and Nancy Angres, Health Division.

 

Chairman Evans opened the hearing on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10.

 

ACR 10      Designates October as Nevada Child Health Care Month.

 

Ms. Debbie Cahill addressed the committee on behalf of the Nevada State Education Association and introduced Ms. Peggy Bowen.

 

Ms. Bowen discussed her concerns regarding learning disabilities, the need for early intervention, testing, and screening.  She indicated she would like to work with health care professionals and volunteers in the community to establish health fairs for students.  This bill would declare a specific time of year to focus on child health care.  Ms. Bowen further stated there were not enough nurses in the school system to provide these services.

 

Mrs. Evans asked if this program would be an annual event throughout the state.  Ms. Bowen responded yes it would be an ongoing event.  Mrs. Evans inquired what types of activities have been planned.  Mrs. Bowen indicated it would be modelled after the adult health fairs. 

 

Mrs. Freeman asked if there was a commitment from the local school districts.  Ms. Bowen said it was unanimously supported by the Nevada State Education Association.  Ms. Cahill interjected this concept was discussed with many other groups as well.  Mrs. Freeman suggested consideration of private funding and corporate sponsors.  Mrs. Freeman inquired what the current status was in regard to school nurses.  Ms. Cahill explained  SB 558 (from the 66th session) encouraged the school district to hire nurses in a ratio of 1000:1, however, there has been no money to accomplish this goal.

 

Mr. Toomin asked where the money would come from to support this resolution.  Ms. Bowen indicated there was no fiscal impact on the state in designating October as Nevada Child Health Care Month.  Each community would work with their own resources.

 

Mr. Heller asked if it would make a difference if the Department of Education became part of the Department of Health and Human Services in receiving support for this resolution.  Ms. Bowen indicated the governor's reorganization plan would have no effect on declaring October as Nevada Child Health Care Month.  Mr. Heller noted the resolution stressed the relationship between education and health.  Ms. Bowen agreed that was the avenue they had to work with.

 

Sharon Ezell representing the Nevada State Health Division testified in favor of ACR 10 (EXHIBIT C).

 

Marsha Berkbigler, Nevada State Medical Association testified in support of ACR 10.

 

Mr. Petrak commented there was a lack of health care for students and thought this resolution was very timely.  Ms. Berkbigler noted at the federal level AMA programs were being looked at to increase health care to underprivileged children.

 

Mrs. Freeman asked if the State Medical Association gave grants for endeavors such as this.  Ms. Berkbigler responded she did not know for sure but thought it might be possible.

 

David Rowles, Clark County Health District, spoke in support of ACR 10 and outlined the efforts made in conjunction with the  school district to address the health care needs of students.

 

Ms. Augustine commented on the annual screening programs in the parochial school system and asked if Clark County Health District was instrumental in administering the program.  Mr. Rowles indicated the Clark County Health District had trained the volunteers.

 

Mrs. Evans called attention to the adolescent health clinic established by the Children's Cabinet in partnership with the Washoe County Health District.  Mr. Rowles responded the Clark County Health District provided various out-reach clinics.

 

Mrs. Freeman asked whether or not health educators were allowed to teach sex education.  Mr. Rowles indicated they were not allowed in the classroom, but students could obtain information from the Health District.  In addition, packets of information were provided by the Health District to the school libraries.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN FREEMAN MOVED TO ADOPT ACR 10.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN HELLER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Chairman Evans opened the hearing on Assembly Bill 169.

 

AB 169      Allows state board of health to authorize county health officers to supply abstracted birth certificates under certain circumstances.

 

Nancy Angres and Marty Atherton, Nevada State Health Division, testified in favor of AB 169 with proposed amendments (EXHIBIT D).

 

Mrs. Evans asked for a definition of "short form."  Ms. Angres responded it was a wallet size identification card with birth information.  Dave Rowles, indicated Clark County sells duplicate birth cards which extrapolate the essential elements of a birth certificate.  These are used by students for identification purposes.

 

Mrs. Evans noted this was abbreviated information to be used in limited circumstances and it would not be adequate information in applying for a passport.  Mr. Rowles explained most agencies would require more information than was given on the extrapolated cards.

 

Ms. Augustine asked why the health division was requesting the information in section 2 be deleted.  Dave Rowles said the language was too restrictive.  Ms. Augustine noted, if deleted, there would be no limitation at all.  Ms. Angres clarified section 2 limited the short form if issued by the districts but did not limit its use by the state.

 

Mr. Atherton apprised the committee there were a number of uses for the short form.  Most agencies would accept the abstracted information.

 

Mrs. Evans asked under what circumstances would someone require more information.  Mr. Atherton said the short form could be used in place of the primary document.  Mrs. Evans inquired if the state would want all jurisdictions to use the same format.  Mr. Rowles said at present each jurisdiction used a separate form.  He further explained the limited use of the card as it related to language in section 2.

 

Mr. Petrak asked if the program paid for itself.  Mr. Rowles responded yes.

 

Mrs. Segerblom clarified the Health District was not concerned with enforcement.  Mr. Rowles said the Health District was not concerned with possible misuse.

 

Ms. Augustine suggested this might be a duplicate effort since DMV also issued identification cards.  She wanted to know if the cards were recognized out of state.  Mr. Rowles believed the short form was verifiable as a legal document.  Ms. Augustine agreed with Mrs. Evans the design of the card should be consistent.  Mr. Rowles said content should be consistent but it would be very costly for Clark County to change the design of the card.

 

Mr. Gibbons inquired if all school systems required this form of identification.  Mr. Rowles said a birth certificate was required.  Mr. Gibbons asked what provisions were made for families who could not afford to pay the fee.  Ms. Angres explained NRS 440.700(3) addressed the issue.

 

Mrs. Evans commented she would be more comfortable if the cards were uniform throughout the state and asked the health division to submit the proposed amendments to Ms. Davis.

 

Ms. Smith clarified regular birth certificates were uniform throughout the state.

 

There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

 

      RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

                             

      CONNIE CAMPBELL

      Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services

February 23, 1993

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