SENATE, No. 3100

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 18, 2018

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  LORETTA WEINBERG

District 37 (Bergen)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Revises definition of hemophilia and expands hemophilia treatment program.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

 


An Act concerning the hemophilia treatment program and amending P.L.1972, c.124.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 1 of P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-90) is amended to read as follows:

     1.    For purposes of [this act] P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-90 et seq.):

     "hemophilia" means a bleeding tendency resulting from a genetically determined [deficiency factor in the blood], hereditarily determined, or acquired factor deficiency in the blood.

     “Qualitative platelet disorders” means conditions resulting from genetically determined, hereditarily determined, or acquired defects or abnormalities in blood platelet functions or structures.

     “von Willebrand disease” means a bleeding tendency resulting from a genetically determined, hereditarily determined, or acquired deficiency of the von Willebrand factor in the blood.

(cf: P.L.1972, c.124, s.1)

 

     2.    Section 2 of P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-91) is amended to read as follows:

     2.    The State Department of Health hereafter referred to as the department shall establish a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from hemophilia, qualitative platelet disorders, and von Willebrand disease.  This program shall assist persons who require continuing treatment  with blood and blood derivatives to avoid crippling, extensive hospitalization  and other effects associated with [this] these critical chronic bleeding [condition] conditions, but  who are unable to pay for the entire cost of such services on a continuing  basis despite the existence of various types of hospital and medical insurance coverages, [medicare, medicaid,] Medicare, Medicaid, and other government assistance programs, and  private charitable assistance programs.

(cf: P.L.1972, c.124, s.2)

 

     3.    Section 3 of P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-92) is amended to read as follows:

     3.    The department shall:

     a.     Develop standards for determining eligibility for care and treatment under this program;

     b.    Assist in the development and expansion of programs for the care and treatment of persons suffering from hemophilia, qualitative platelet disorders, and von Willebrand disease, including self-

administration, prevention, and home care and other medical and dental procedures and techniques designed to provide maximum control over bleeding episodes typical of [this condition] these conditions;

     c. Extend financial assistance to persons suffering from hemophilia, qualitative platelet disorders, and von Willebrand disease in obtaining blood, blood derivatives and concentrates, and other efficacious agents for use in hospital, medical and dental facilities, and at home, or participate in the cost of blood processing to the extent that such support will facilitate the supplying of blood, blood derivatives and concentrates and other efficacious agents to [hemophiliac] patients at an economical cost, thus increasing the effectiveness of the moneys appropriated to carry out the provisions of [this act] P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-90 et seq.);

     d.  Institute and carry on educational programs among patients, physicians, dentists,  hospitals, public health departments, and the public concerning hemophilia, qualitative platelet disorders, and von Willebrand disease,  including dissemination of information and the conducting of educational  programs concerning the methods of care and treatment of persons suffering from  [this condition] these conditions;  and

     e.  Promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of [this act] P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-90 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.1972, c.124, s.3)

 

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill revises the definition of “hemophilia,” as used in P.L.1972, c.124 (C.26:2-90 et seq.), to reflect the fact that hemophilia can result from hereditarily determined or acquired blood coagulation factor deficiencies. The statute currently states that hemophilia is a bleeding tendency resulting from a genetically determined factor deficiency in the blood. This bill also expands the State’s hemophilia treatment program to assist patients diagnosed with qualitative platelet disorders and von Willebrand disease. Qualitative platelet disorders are conditions arising from defects or abnormalities in blood platelet functions or structures. Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder resulting from a deficiency of the von Willebrand factor in the blood. These two disorders can also be genetically determined, hereditarily determined, or acquired.