GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1393

Short Title:  Sr. Hlth. Ins. Info. Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Insko; and Mosley.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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April 29, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO EXPAND THE SENIORS' HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM.
Whereas, as of July 1, 1996, North Carolina had more than 1,051,000 Medicare beneficiaries, including 892,000 older adults, who needed information, counseling, assistance, and advocacy in understanding the changes in the Medicare program and in making decisions about coverage options; and
Whereas, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program projects a fifty percent (50%) increase in beneficiary initiated calls and other contacts during 1999 which will exceed its existing capacity; and
Whereas, funding is needed to enable the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program to maintain the basic level of education and counseling necessary to assist the State's Medicare beneficiaries with the changes associated with Medicare+Choice; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Insurance the sum of one hundred four thousand dollars ($104,000) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year and the sum of one hundred four thousand dollars ($104,000) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year to enable the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program to expand education and counseling services to North Carolina's Medicare beneficiaries regarding Medicare+Choice.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.