HB6712 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 19785 RXD 45527 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB6712

Introduced 02/09/04, by Sandra M. Pihos

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

410 ILCS 405/2

from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 6952

Amends the Disease Assistance Act. Provides that Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 4,500,000 (rather than 1,500,000) Americans. Provides that approximately 200,000 (rather than 111,000) Illinois citizens are victims of Alzheimer's disease. Effective immediately.

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 Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(410 ILCS 405/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 6952)

Sec. 2. Policy declaration. The General Assembly finds that Alzheimer's disease and related disorders are devastating health conditions which destroy certain vital cells of the brain and which affect an estimated 4,500,000 1,500,000 Americans. This means that approximately 200,000 111,000 Illinois citizens are victims. The General Assembly also finds that 50% of all nursing home admissions in the State may be attributable to the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and that these conditions are the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly. It is the opinion of the General Assembly that Alzheimer's disease and related disorders cause serious financial, social and emotional hardships on the victims and their families of such a major consequence that it is essential for the State to develop and implement policies, plans, programs and services to alleviate such hardships.

The General Assembly recognizes that there is no known cause or cure of Alzheimer's disease at this time, and that it can progress over an extended period of time and to such a degree that the victim's deteriorated condition makes him or her susceptible to other medical disorders that generally prove fatal. It is the intent of the General Assembly, through implementation of this Act, to establish a program for the conduct of research regarding the cause, cure and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; and, through the establishment of Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers and a comprehensive, Statewide system of regional and community-based services, to provide for the identification, evaluation, diagnosis, referral and treatment of victims of such health problems.

(Source: P.A. 85-1209.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.