MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      May 20, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services was called to order by Chairman Jan Evans at 1:27 p.m., Thursday, May 20, 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:

 

      Michelle Bero, Nevada Association of Counties; Jean Laird, Division of Mental Hygiene and Mental Retardation; Cindy Pyzel, Deputy Attorney General; Jan Lewellyn-Davidson, University Medical Center; and David Rowles, Clark County Health District.

 

 

Mrs. Evans asked Michelle Bero, Nevada Association of Counties, to make a few comments and answer any questions regarding Senate Bill 369.

 

SB 369      Allows payment from fund for hospital care to indigent persons for hospital care rendered by hospital in another state.

 

Ms. Bero indicated she was responsible for administering the Indigent Accident Fund (IAF).  SB 369 was intended to allow the board of trustees to pay out-of-state hospitals for people who qualified under IAF and explained the parameters of the fund.  This bill would apply primarily to counties bordering other states.  In response to questions from the committee, Ms. Bero indicated this bill would save money because counties could access this fund thus saving other indigent money.  Out-of-state claims for Nevada residents would be paid either by the IAF or by the county of residency.  Ms. Bero discussed the origin of the fund and indicated cases were reviewed for payment twice a year.  The fund was set up for specific types of accidents on publically maintained roads to limit the claims.  Ms. Bero clarified this fund was only used for inpatient hospital care.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN PETRAK MOVED DO PASS ON SB 369.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      MOTION CARRIED (ASSEMBLYMEN TOOMIN AND AUGUSTINE VOTED NO).

 

Mrs. Evans opened the hearing on Assembly Bill 602.

 

AB 602      Makes various changes regarding payment of fees for treatment of indigent clients in state mental health facilities.

 

Jean Laird, Division of Mental Hygiene and Mental Retardation, testified in support of AB 602.  The reason for this legislation was to eliminate inconsistencies in the statute and provide more clarity in order to collect fees for services provided.  Ms. Laird reviewed the changes in each section of the bill.

 

Mrs. Segerblom asked to what extent relatives would be responsible for the payment of patient services.  Cindy Pyzel, Deputy Attorney General, responded the current language was too broad.  Under state law a spouse, parent, or guardian would have an obligation; however there was no obligation for other family members.

 

Mrs. Evans asked if the division would distribute to the committee a summary detailing the changes which were being requested for consideration at a future work session.

 

Mrs. Evans opened the hearing on Senate Bill 69.

 

SB 69       Authorizes sale of controlled substances or dangerous drugs to certain persons and agencies that provide emergency care or transportation in order to stock ambulances and other authorized vehicles.

 

Jan Lewellyn-Davidson, University Medical Center, presented testimony in support of SB 69 (EXHIBIT C) and answered questions from the committee.

 

Mr. Gibbons asked how records were kept on the use of drugs.  Ms. Davidson said they were reported to a federal agency.

 

Mrs. Freeman wanted to know if there was a reciprocal agreement among the other states.  Ms. Davidson explained Arizona and California would replenish, but she would have to verify the current status with Utah.

 

David Rowels, Clark County Health District, testified in support of SB 69 which was also endorsed by the Emergency Medical Services system.  Mr. Rowles suggested language on line 21 be changed from "health division" to "health authority."

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN FREEMAN MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS ON SB 69.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN SEGERBLOM SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED BY THOSE PRESENT (ASSEMBLYMEN HELLER, PETRAK, AND WILLIAMS WERE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE).

 

Mrs. Evans indicated she wanted to set aside some time for a work session and reviewed the status of all bills previously heard in committee.

 

There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

 

      RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

                             

      CONNIE CAMPBELL

      Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services

May 20, 1993

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