65-1,215. Renal disease program, exception; support staff; standards; rules and regulations; renal disease fund. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the secretary of health and environment shall establish, to the extent moneys are appropriated therefor or grants or other funds are received therefor, a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from chronic renal diseases who require lifesaving medications and transportation to treatment for such renal disease. If the secretary of health and environment determines that moneys for this program are inadequate to finance the program based upon estimated costs for the program developed by the department of health and environment, the secretary of health and environment shall not establish the program until the secretary determines that adequate moneys are available to finance the program.

(b) If a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from chronic renal diseases is established under subsection (a), the secretary of health and environment shall appoint support staff, to the extent moneys are appropriated therefor or grants or other funds are received therefor, as may be necessary to administer the program and shall develop standards for determining eligibility for care and treatment under this program. In lieu of administering the program, the secretary of health and environment may contract with an external organization for administration of the act.

(c) The secretary of health and environment is hereby given the authority to adopt the necessary rules and regulations to properly administer and enforce the provisions of this act.

(d) There is hereby created in the state treasury the renal disease fund. The secretary of health and environment may accept moneys from any source and such moneys shall be credited to the renal disease fund. All expenditures from the renal disease fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the secretary of health and environment or by a person or persons designated by the secretary.

(e) All expenditures for costs of the program established by this act, including costs of administration and all services therefor, shall be made from the renal disease fund.

History: L. 2001, ch. 169, § 1; July 1.