HB4148 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 08687 RPM 18817 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB4148

Introduced 2/27/2009, by Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2310/2310-430

was 20 ILCS 2310/55.69

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to create a Division of Women's Health (instead of designating a member of its staff) to handle women's health issues. Provides that the Division shall be headed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, who shall serve as a deputy director and shall report directly to the Director of Public Health. Provides that the head of the Division shall oversee a staff of qualified personnel who are able to effectively carry out the duties of the Division. Adds additional duties for the Division, including developing an annual report to be filed with the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of women's health care and research.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2310-430 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2310/2310-430) (was 20 ILCS 2310/55.69)

Sec. 2310-430. Women's health issues.

(a) The Department shall create a Division of Women's Health designate a member of its staff to handle women's health issues not currently or adequately addressed by the Department. The Division shall be headed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987. This person shall serve as a deputy director and shall report directly to the Director of Public Health. The head of the Division shall oversee a staff of qualified personnel who are able to effectively carry out the duties of the Division.

(b) The Division's staff person's duties shall include, without limitation:

(1) Assisting in the assessment of the health needs of women in the State.

(2) Recommending treatment methods and programs that are sensitive and relevant to the unique characteristics of women.

(3) Promoting awareness of women's health concerns and encouraging, promoting, and aiding in the establishment of women's services.

(4) Providing adequate and effective opportunities for women to express their views on Departmental policy development and program implementation.

(5) Providing information to the members of the public, patients, and health care providers regarding women's gynecological cancers, including but not limited to the signs and symptoms, risk factors, the benefits of early detection through appropriate diagnostic testing, and treatment options.

(6) Publishing the health care summary required under Section 2310-425 of this Act.

(7) Working with local medical providers to provide an integrated, coordinated, and ongoing women's health campaign that stresses prevention and early detection of disease.

(8) Working with other State agencies and external partners to (i) understand and improve health services to women in this State and (ii) coordinate resources and programs available for women's health care and disease prevention.

(9) Developing satellite offices in local health departments, State facilities, and not-for-profit health clinics for outreach, research, and advocacy on women's health issues, including heart disease and cancer.

(10) Developing an annual report to be filed with the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of women's health care and research. The information related to women's health care in the report shall include demographic data as well as the availability of adequate women's health services in urban, suburban, and rural areas and progress on meeting goals established by the Division.

(c) The information provided under item (5) of subsection (b) of this Section may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Educational and informational materials in print, audio, video, electronic, or other media.

(2) Public service announcements and advertisements.

(3) The health care summary required under Section 2310-425 of this Act.

The Department may develop or contract with others to develop, as the Director deems appropriate, the materials described in this subsection (c) or may survey available publications from, among other sources, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. The Division of Women's Health staff person designated under this Section shall collect the materials, formulate a distribution plan, and disseminate the materials according to the plan. These materials shall be made available to the public free of charge.

In exercising its powers under this subsection (c), the Department shall consult with appropriate health care professionals and providers, patients, and organizations representing health care professionals and providers and patients.

(Source: P.A. 91-106, eff. 1-1-00; 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)