Senate Bill No. 294–Committee on Human Resources
and Facilities
(On Behalf of Legislative Committee on Health Care)
March 3, 1999
____________
Referred to Committee on Finance
SUMMARY—Makes appropriation to University of Nevada School of Medicine for expansion of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. (BDR S-487)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget.
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EXPLANATION – Matter in
bolded italics is new; matter between bracketsWhereas, Every day thousands of children across this state must cope
with the physical and mental challenges of diabetes; and
Whereas, An estimated 1 out of every 500 school-age children has
Type I diabetes, an auto-immune disease in which the cells that produce
insulin, a pancreatic hormone that controls sugar and fat metabolism, are
attacked and eliminated; and
Whereas, Diabetes is a chronic disease with the potential for long-term
complications such as kidney disease requiring dialysis, blindness and
circulation problems that can lead to the need for the amputation of limbs;
and
Whereas, The average lifetime cost for a child diagnosed at the age of
3 years with diabetes is $600,000, and nationwide, 1 out of every 7 dollars
spent on health care is for diabetes and complications related to diabetes;
and
Whereas, Because of the increase in population in the State of Nevada,
the appearance of Type II diabetes in children also is increasing rapidly;
Whereas, With early treatment and the development of a motivational
support system for a child or teenager, complications can be minimized or
prevented; and
Whereas, With an estimated 75 percent of Type I patients developing
the disease before the age of 18 years, it is crucial to begin education,
detection and prevention measures early; and
Whereas, The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center currently
cares for approximately 300 children between the ages of 1 and 21 years
with Type I or Type II diabetes and, with an expanded program, anticipates
caring for at least 500 children statewide; and
Whereas, The goals of the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology
Center are to provide the education and treatment necessary for patients to
reduce the risk of diabetic complications, thereby helping those patients
lead a normal lifestyle, and to develop opportunities for research that focus
on the prevention and early management of the disease; and
Whereas, The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center is
dedicated to giving children and their families the skills and knowledge to
achieve near-normalization of blood glucose levels to reduce the young
patients’ risks of diabetic complications and give them a chance to lead a
normal lifestyle; and
Whereas, The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center will
continue its ongoing relationship with the public and private hospitals
currently involved with the existing program and will seek to establish a
relationship with hospitals in other urban and rural areas that will contribute
to the operating costs and sustainability of the Pediatric Diabetes and
Endocrinology Center; and
Whereas, The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center will
collaborate with appropriate state agencies to ensure the coordination of all
available services and educational programs; and
Whereas, The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center uses a
"multi-disciplinary team" approach, integrating education, behavioral
modification and counseling in its treatment of patients; and
Whereas, This dedicated multi-disciplinary team is composed of core
members, but money is needed to expand the team to ensure that all
children within this state who suffer from diabetes are able to receive the
necessary treatment; now, therefore,
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
2-1
Section 1. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the state general2-2
fund to the University of Nevada School of Medicine for the expansion of3-1
the program administered by the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology3-2
Center:3-3
For the fiscal year 1999-2000 $379,5003-4
For the fiscal year 2000-2001 $379,5003-5
2. The sums appropriated by subsection 1 are available for either fiscal3-6
year. Any balance of those sums must not be committed for expenditure3-7
after June 30, 2001, and reverts to the state general fund as soon as all3-8
payments of money committed have been made.3-9
Sec. 2. The money appropriated by section 1 of this act must be used3-10
to pay the salaries of professional and support personnel on the multi-3-11
disciplinary team of the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center,3-12
including, without limitation, pediatric endocrinologists, licensed clinical3-13
social workers, exercise physiologists, psychologists, health analysts,3-14
biostatisticians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered3-15
dietitians.3-16
Sec. 3. 1. The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center shall3-17
create an advisory board consisting of the eight members of the executive3-18
committee of the Nevada Diabetes Council and three additional members3-19
who are medical and allied health professionals in the field of diabetes to3-20
provide advice to the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center3-21
regarding the collaboration between the various state agencies, focusing3-22
primarily on the care and treatment of children with diabetes.3-23
2. The Pediatric Diabetes Endocrinology Center shall ensure that a data3-24
analysis is conducted to evaluate the financial situation of the program3-25
administered by the center and the medical results of patients who receive3-26
care under the program. The advisory board shall monitor and review the3-27
data analysis and provide advice based on the results of the analysis. Sec. 4. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.~