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NEAL
CALLS ON GUINN TO INVOKE EMERGENCY POWERS TO SAVE NEVADA'S
ONLY LEVEL-ONE TRAUMA CARE FACILITY
North Las Vegas,
Nev. (July 3, 2002) — State Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las
Vegas, today called upon Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, R, to invoke
the emergency powers of the chief executive to keep high level
trauma care available to southern Nevada citizens.
"The governor has the capacity under
Nevada Revised Statutes section 414 to invoke emergency powers
to save lives. The closure of University Medical Center's
level-one trauma center is just such a situation," the
30-year lawmaker said. Neal is a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for governor.
"The powers of a decisive governor
are very formidable in a crisis, but they are worthless if
not used," Neal added.
"Our statutes grant a lot of latitude.
The governor can allow qualified retired Nevada doctors, or
out-of-state physicians, to begin work immediately. The governor
can order experienced trauma center nurses to perform certain
services within the realm of their expertise. As commander
in chief, the governor can mobilize National Guard physicians
and nurses and ask for military assistance from other states
and armed services," Neal said.
"A special legislative session can
only provide long term solutions which will be of no comfort
to the seriously injured child who needs trauma care today
only to find it unavailable," Neal stated.
University
Medical Center's Trauma Center is scheduled to close today
due to a mass resignation by physicians fearing inadequate
malpractice insurance.
First elected in 1972, Neal has served on
every senate committee, including those dealing with health
care and insurance issues.
REFERENCES:
NRS
414.0345 “Emergency” defined. “Emergency”
means an occurrence or threatened occurrence for which, in
the determination of the governor, the assistance of state
agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities
of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property
and protect the health and safety of persons in this state,
or to avert the threat of damage to property or injury to
or the death of persons in this state.
NRS
414.070 Additional powers of governor during emergency
or disaster...The existence of such an emergency or disaster
may be proclaimed by the governor...if...a natural, technological
or man-made emergency or disaster of major proportions has
actually occurred within this state, and that the safety and
welfare of the inhabitants of this state require an invocation
of the provisions of this section.
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