Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Altamirano

DATE TYPED 3/6/05

HB

SHORT TITLE State Library Prostate Cancer Section

SB 475

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION

(in $000s)

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$30.0

Non-Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Cultural Affairs Department (DCA)

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 475 appropriates $30,000 from the general fund to Cultural Affairs Department

(DCA) for the purpose of developing within the state library system a prostate cancer reference

section.

Significant Issues

The Department of Health (DOH) indicated that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed

cancer among all race/ethnic groups in New Mexico, and it is the second leading cause of cancer

death among New Mexican men. Unlike some other cancers where clinical trials have demon-

strated a decrease in mortality through early detection, there is no scientific consensus on

whether screening and treatment of early stage prostate cancer reduces mortality. Since prostate

cancer diagnostic procedures and treatments commonly cause serious side effects, there is no

consensus that the potential benefits outweigh the harms of screening and treatment. Public and

professional education is imperative for men to receive objective information about the potential

benefits and harms of screening and treatment to assist them in making informed decisions.

Senate Bill 475 -- Page 2

DOH noted that, in 2002, Senate Joint Memorial 8 directed the DOH to convene a task force of

healthcare professionals to develop a report on the burden of prostate cancer in New Mexico; the

status of prevention and early detection for prostate cancer; the controversy over screening and

treatment of prostate cancer; and survivorship issues. The task force made the following rec-

ommendations to the legislature in November 2002: “Education, both public and professional, is

needed in New Mexico regarding prostate cancer. Education and related services should be pro-

vided to: 1) increase public and professional understanding of prostate cancer; 2) assess the risks

and benefits of routine screening; 3) help men make appropriate personal choices regarding

screening and treatment; 4) help men and their families access prostate cancer support services;

5) monitor research on prostate cancer screening; and 6) use science to guide policy, research,

screening and treatment decisions.”

According to DCA, SB475 builds on existing projects at the State Library. The initiative put

forth in this legislation complements two existing health information projects at the State Library

related to Diabetes and Breast Cancer. With this funding, staff would be prepared to use the

models of those two projects to implement the proposed Prostate Cancer Reference Section.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $30,000 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would revert to

the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DCA did not anticipate any difficulties to administer these funds. That agency would collaborate

with UNM Health Center Library staff in researching the materials for the proposed Prostate

Cancer Reference Section.

DH/yr