A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the department of health and human services, division of public health, to provide statewide poison control services through the carolinas poison center, as recommended by the child fatality task force.
Whereas, poisoning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury‑related death in North Carolina; and
Whereas, poisoning is the fastest growing cause of child fatality in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the misuse of new synthetic drugs is a growing concern; and
Whereas, poison control centers provide critical primary supports to the public and to medical professionals in handling poisoning cases and saving lives; and
Whereas, the Carolinas Poison Center averted approximately $9,500,000 in medical costs by diverting individuals from unnecessary emergency room visits in 2009, with approximately $3,100,000 in savings accruing to Medicaid; and
Whereas, monthly call volume has increased fairly steadily, from 9,500 or fewer calls per month in 2005, to approximately 11,000 calls per month currently; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2011‑2012 fiscal year and the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2012‑2013 fiscal year. These funds shall be used to increase the State contract with the Carolinas Poison Center, the designated poison center for North Carolina operated by Carolinas Medical Center.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2011.