HARRY HUGHES, Governor

695

SUBTITLE 3. KIDNEY DISEASE PROGRAM.

13-301. "COMMISSION" DEFINED.

IN THIS SUBTITLE, "COMMISSION" MEANS THE STATE
COMMISSION ON KIDNEY DISEASE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from the parenthetical
phrase in the first sentence of former Article
43, § 782(b).

13-302. FINDINGS; RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE.

(A)  FINDINGS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:

(1)  ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS AND TRAGIC PROBLEMS
FACING THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE IS THE DEATH OF
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS STATE EACH YEAR FROM CHRONIC
KIDNEY DISEASE, WHEN THE PRESENT STATE OF MEDICAL ART AND
TECHNOLOGY COULD RETURN THESE INDIVIDUALS TO A SOCIALLY
PRODUCTIVE LIFE;

(2)  ADVANCES AND DISCOVERIES IN THE TREATMENT OF
PATIENTS WHO HAVE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE NOW ALLOW NOT MERE
SURVIVAL, BUT REHABILITATION TO NORMAL OCCUPATIONS AND
ACTIVITIES; AND

(3)  WITHOUT THE KIDNEY DISEASE PROGRAM UNDER
THIS SUBTITLE, THESE PEOPLE WOULD DIE BECAUSE OF INABILITY
TO PAY FOR THE EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT AND CARE THAT THEY NEED.

(B)  RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE.

(1)  THIS STATE RECOGNIZES ITS RESPONSIBILITIES:

(I)  TO ALLOW ITS CITIZENS TO KEEP THEIR
HEALTH WITHOUT BEING MADE PAUPERS; AND

(II)  TO USE ITS RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATION
TO AID IN GATHERING AND GIVING OUT INFORMATION ON THE
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

(2)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SEEKS TO MEET THESE
RESPONSIBILITIES BY MAKING THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY
DISEASE EASILY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE EDUCATION, TREATMENT,
AND REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THUS,
LOWERING THE COST OF THIS TREATMENT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as
Article 43, § 781.