NC S437

Appropriates $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2015-2016 and $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2016-2017 to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health for the Carolinas Poison Center.

Funds shall increase the State contract with the Carolinas Poison Center, operated by Carolinas Medical Center, which serves as North Carolina's designated poison control center.

Carolinas Poison Center has managed nearly 490,000 patients over the past five years from every North Carolina county and saves the State approximately $8,000,000 annually by preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and 911 calls.

The Center receives approximately $530,000 annually in federal funds that are subject to maintenance of effort requirements, making State funding necessary to maintain operations and compliance.

Effective date is July 1, 2015.