GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1349

Short Title:  Interdisciplinary Diabetes Program Funds.    	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Baddour; Bowman, Colton, Griffin, Judy  Hunt, Nesbitt, and Warner.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 12, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR AN INTERDISCIPLINARY DIABETES PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
Whereas, diabetes is second only to hypertensive disease in causing premature death in individuals over 50 years of age.  In addition, diabetes can cause major disabilities; and
Whereas, diabetes is the second leading cause of blindness in the population; and
Whereas, complications in addition to blindness include amputation, kidney disease, and diabetic neuropathy; and
Whereas, these problems increase the burden on the health care system and often result in permanent disability. Diabetes can develop in the mother during pregnancy, and this is an important cause of infant mortality and birth defects.  The estimated total cost of the problem in North Carolina is $570 million per year in medical care and lost productivity; and
Whereas, there are currently 6.5 million people with diabetes in the United States.  This number is expected to double to 13.6 million by the year 2015.  The problem is particularly prevalent in North Carolina where 382,000 people are estimated to have diabetes and over 4,700 die each year.  North Carolina ranks 16th highest among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the diabetes death rate per 100,000 people.  About 72,000 hospitalizations a year in North Carolina are diabetes related; and
Whereas, the General Assembly concludes from these findings that the need for a comprehensive interdisciplinary diabetes program is evident; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of five hundred seven thousand four hundred thirty-nine dollars ($507,439) for the 1993-94 fiscal year and the sum of five hundred seven thousand four hundred thirty-nine dollars ($507,439) for the 1994-95 fiscal year for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine to develop an interdisciplinary diabetes program to provide a comprehensive education, training, and patient care program for the citizens of North Carolina.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.