GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1166

Short Title:  Establish Cancer Control Study.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Daniel; and Seymour.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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June 3, 1992

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A CANCER CONTROL STUDY COMMISSION AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS.
Whereas, a total of 12,969 people died in 1989 and 13,198 people died in 1990 from cancer in North Carolina; and
Whereas, 14,000 people are predicted to die in 1992 from cancer in North Carolina; and
Whereas, morbidity and disability from cancer are estimated to be responsible for 10% of the total cost of disease in North Carolina and for lost productivity among the work force, in addition to the personal loss, grief, and financial disruption experienced by families; and
Whereas, 34% of annual cancer deaths in North Carolina are premature adult deaths occurring to persons between the ages of 20 and 64, equivalent to approximately 4,460 deaths per year or 12 deaths per day; and
Whereas, the National Cancer Institute has estimated that the mortality rate from cancer can be reduced by 50% through prevention, early detection, and prompt, appropriate treatment and follow-up; and
Whereas, a statewide Cancer Control Program has been legislatively established to provide cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and education, but unfortunately the resources available to the Program are limited relative to the needs for cancer control efforts, and the Program has been forced to cease authorizing care by physicians and hospitals before the end of the fiscal year in each of the last three years due to depletion of funds; and
Whereas, it is estimated that 900,000 people in North Carolina have no health insurance on any day; and
Whereas, various cancer control activities currently exist in several State departments and institutions and in many non-State institutions in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the prevention and treatment of cancer require planned, coordinated, well-funded and systematically implemented public and professional educational efforts, state of the art information, and medical care availability to all North Carolina residents; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Public Health System is responsible for public health, but lacks the financial resources and the coordinating responsibilities to undertake a comprehensive cancer control effort; and
Whereas, a comprehensive, well-financed, coordinated cancer control effort can improve the health status of North Carolinians and can provide affordable economic and social return to the State; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Cancer Control Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 20 members who shall be appointed as follows:
(1)	Ten members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
a.	Five members of the Senate;
b.	One person from each of the three North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Centers;
c.	A member of the North Carolina Nurses Association; and
d.	The State Health Director, or his designee; and
(2)	Ten members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
a.	Five members of the House of Representatives;
b.	A member of the Cancer Committee of the North Carolina Medical Society;
c.	A member of the Old North State Medical Society;
d.	A volunteer of the American Cancer Society, North Carolina Division, Inc.;
e.	A representative of the North Carolina Hospital Association; and
f.	A member of the Local Health Directors' Association.
All initial appointments shall be made within 30 days following adjournment of the 1992 Regular Session of the 1991 General Assembly.
Sec. 2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochair and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochair.  The cochairs shall call the first meeting and preside at alternate meetings.
Sec. 3.  The Commission shall study cancer control activities and services in North Carolina and make recommendations that will assure coordinated and adequately financed statewide cancer control efforts.
Sec. 4.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than March 31, 1993.  Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 5.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided for under the provisions of G.S. 120-19, and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4.  The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 6. Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable.
Sec. 7. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02, and may purchase or contract for the materials and services it needs.  The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Administrative Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisor of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  The expenses relating to clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.  With the consent of the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, staff employed by the Department or any of its divisions may be assigned permanently or temporarily to assist the Commission or its staff.
Sec. 8. When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission the vacancy shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the initial appointment.
Sec. 9. All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
Sec. 10. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the 1992-93 fiscal year for the expenses of the Commission.
Sec. 11.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1992.