§ 20-15-601 - Legislative findings and purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

20-15-601. Legislative findings and purpose.

(a) (1) It is declared and found that one (1) of the major problems facing medicine and the public health and welfare is the lack of an adequate program to assist in the treatment and cure of persons suffering from chronic kidney disease.

(2) It is estimated that a number of citizens of this state annually are confronted with chronic kidney disease requiring complicated and expensive treatment which is often beyond the financial resources of the individuals.

(3) There is a critical shortage of adequate facilities within the state for the discovery, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease.

(b) In order to provide for the care and treatment of persons suffering from acute or chronic kidney disease and in order to encourage and assist in the development of adequate treatment facilities for persons suffering from acute or chronic kidney disease, it is essential that the state develop a program of financial assistance to aid in defraying a portion of the cost for the care and treatment of chronic renal disease to the extent that the individual suffering from the disease is unable to pay for the services on a continuing basis.