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.
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, yearly call volume has increased to approximately 100,000 calls per year; 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 one million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) for the 2013‑2014 fiscal year and the sum of one million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) for the 2014‑2015 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, 2013.