GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 91

Short Title:  Osteoporosis Program.	(Public)

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Senators Foxx, Purcell; Allran, Ballantine, Carpenter, Carrington, Carter, Clodfelter, Cochrane, Dalton, Forrester, Garrou, Garwood, Hagan, Harris, Hartsell, Horton, Kinnaird, Lucas, Metcalf, Miller, Moore, Perdue, Phillips, Rand, Robinson, Rucho, Shaw of Guilford, Warren, Weinstein, and Wellons.

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Appropriations/Base Budget.

─────────────────────────────────────── 

February 15, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS.
Whereas, osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major public health problem that poses a threat to the health and quality of life of over one million North Carolinians age 50 and over; and
Whereas, each year, more than 13,000 North Carolinians are hospitalized for hip fractures alone resulting in more than $57 million in direct medical costs; and
Whereas, one of two women and one of eight men will suffer an osteoporitic fracture in his or her lifetime; and
Whereas, because osteoporosis progresses silently and currently has no cure, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment are key to reducing the prevalence of this disease; and
Whereas, many consumers, physicians, health care providers, and government agencies lack knowledge in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease; and
Whereas, experts in the field of osteoporosis believe that with greater awareness among medical experts, service providers, and the general public, osteoporosis can be prevented in the future, thereby reducing its prevalence, severity, and costly consequences; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. (a) Article 7 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new Part to read:
"Part 6.  Osteoporosis.
"§ 130A-224. Department to establish program; report required.