SENATE BILL 357

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE A CANCER PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION ABOUT, AND ASSISTANCE WITH, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DISEASE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM--APPROPRIATION.--

          A. The department of health shall provide a cancer patient navigation program for education about, and assistance with, the management of the disease. The program shall:

                (1) initially serve breast and cervical cancer patients statewide that have been identified by the department of health breast and cervical cancer program, and expand to all other cancer types as the program develops;

                (2) be part of an existing cancer service agency, not affiliated with a particular health care institution, so that department of health breast and cervical cancer program clients may be treated at any affiliated cancer health care facility in the state; and

                (3) employ a multidisciplinary team approach to assisting those specific patients with access to health care, financial, legal, transportation, psychological and other issues.

          B. Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 2008 through 2010 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of Subsection A of this section. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the general fund.

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