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Sen. Joe Neal for Governor


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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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