(20 ILCS 2310/2310‑210) (was 20 ILCS 2310/55.62a)
    Sec. 2310‑210. Advisory Panel on Minority Health.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Health profession" means any health profession regulated under the laws of this State, including, without limitation, professions regulated under the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the Dietetic and Nutrition Services Practice Act, the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Naprapathic Practice Act, the Nurse Practice Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987, the Illinois Physical Therapy Act, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act, and the Illinois Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.
    "Minority" has the same meaning as in Section 2310‑215.
    (b) The General Assembly finds as follows:
        (1) The health status of individuals from ethnic and
    
racial minorities in this State is significantly lower than the health status of the general population of the State.
        (2) Minorities suffer disproportionately high rates
    
of cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, sickle‑cell anemia, lupus, substance abuse, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, other diseases and disorders, unintentional injuries, and suicide.
        (3) The incidence of infant mortality among
    
minorities is almost double that for the general population.
        (4) Minorities suffer disproportionately from lack
    
of access to health care and poor living conditions.
        (5) Minorities are under‑represented in the health
    
care professions.
        (6) Minority participation in the procurement
    
policies of the health care industry is lacking.
        (7) Minority health professionals historically have
    
tended to practice in low‑income areas and to serve minorities.
        (8) National experts on minority health report that
    
access to health care among minorities can be substantially improved by increasing the number of minority health professionals.
        (9) Increasing the number of minorities serving on
    
the facilities of health professional schools is an important factor in attracting minorities to pursue a career in health professions.
        (10) Retaining minority health professionals
    
currently practicing in this State and those receiving training and education in this State is an important factor in maintaining and increasing the number of minority health professionals in Illinois.
        (11) An Advisory Panel on Minority Health is
    
necessary to address the health issues affecting minorities in this State.
    (c) The General Assembly's intent is as follows:
        (1) That all Illinoisans have access to health care.
        (2) That the gap between the health status of
    
minorities and other Illinoisans be closed.
        (3) That the health issues that disproportionately
    
affect minorities be addressed to improve the health status of minorities.
        (4) That the number of minorities in the health
    
professions be increased.
    (d) The Advisory Panel on Minority Health is created. The Advisory Panel shall consist of 25 members appointed by the Director of Public Health. The members shall represent health professions and the General Assembly.
    (e) The Advisory Panel shall assist the Department in the following manner:
        (1) Examination of the following areas as they
    
relate to minority health:
            (A) Access to health care.
            (B) Demographic factors.
            (C) Environmental factors.
            (D) Financing of health care.
            (E) Health behavior.
            (F) Health knowledge.
            (G) Utilization of quality care.
            (H) Minorities in health care professions.
        (2) Development of monitoring, tracking, and
    
reporting mechanisms for programs and services with minority health goals and objectives.
        (3) Communication with local health departments,
    
community‑based organizations, voluntary health organizations, and other public and private organizations statewide, on an ongoing basis, to learn more about their services to minority communities, the health problems of minority communities, and their ideas for improving minority health.
        (4) Promotion of communication among all State
    
agencies that provide services to minority populations.
        (5) Building coalitions between the State and
    
leadership in minority communities.
        (6) Encouragement of recruitment and retention of
    
minority health professionals.
        (7) Improvement in methods for collecting and
    
reporting data on minority health.
        (8) Improvement in accessibility to health and
    
medical care for minority populations in under‑served rural and urban areas.
        (9) Reduction of communication barriers for
    
non‑English speaking residents.
        (10) Coordination of the development and
    
dissemination of culturally appropriate and sensitive education material, public awareness messages, and health promotion programs for minorities.
    (f) On or before January 1, 1997 the Advisory Panel shall submit an interim report to the Governor and the General Assembly. The interim report shall include an update on the Advisory Panel's progress in performing its functions under this Section and shall include recommendations, including recommendations for any necessary legislative changes.
    On or before January 1, 1998 the Advisory Panel shall submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly. The final report shall include the following:
        (1) An evaluation of the health status of minorities
    
in this State.
        (2) An evaluation of minority access to health care
    
in this State.
        (3) Recommendations for improving the health status
    
of minorities in this State.
        (4) Recommendations for increasing minority access
    
to health care in this State.
        (5) Recommendations for increasing minority
    
participation in the procurement policies of the health care industry.
        (6) Recommendations for increasing the number of
    
minority health professionals in this State.
        (7) Recommendations that will ensure that the health
    
status of minorities in this State continues to be addressed beyond the expiration of the Advisory Panel.
(Source: P.A. 95‑639, eff. 10‑5‑07.)