223.550 - Creation of Office for Consumer Health Assistance; appointment and qualifications of Director; payment of costs from assessments, gifts, grants or donations, and direct legislative appropria

223.550  Creation of Office for Consumer Health Assistance; appointment and qualifications of Director; payment of costs from assessments, gifts, grants or donations, and direct legislative appropriation.

      1.  The Office for Consumer Health Assistance is hereby established in the Office of the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the Director. The Director must:

      (a) Be:

             (1) A physician, as that term is defined in NRS 0.040;

             (2) A registered nurse, as that term is defined in NRS 632.019;

             (3) An advanced practitioner of nursing, as that term is defined in NRS 453.023; or

             (4) A physician assistant, as that term is defined in NRS 630.015; and

      (b) Have expertise and experience in the field of advocacy.

      2.  The cost of carrying out the provisions of NRS 223.500 to 223.580, inclusive, must be paid as follows:

      (a) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers and injured employees concerning workers’ compensation must be paid from the assessments levied pursuant to NRS 232.680.

      (b) That portion of the cost related to the operation of the Bureau for Hospital Patients created pursuant to NRS 223.575 must be paid from the assessments levied pursuant to that section.

      (c) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers in need of information or other facilitation regarding a prescription drug program may, to the extent money is available from this source, be paid from the proceeds of any gifts, grants or donations that are received by the Director for this purpose.

      (d) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers in need of information concerning purchasing prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies may, to the extent money is available from this source, be paid from the proceeds of any gifts, grants or donations that are received by the Director for this purpose.

      (e) The remaining cost must be provided by direct legislative appropriation from the State General Fund and be paid out on claims as other claims against the State are paid.

      (Added to NRS by 1999, 1806; A 2001, 778, 2653; 2003, 1507; 2005, 22nd Special Session, 155)