HB1961 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1961

Introduced , by Rep. Daniel J. Burke

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the School Influenza Vaccination Act. Sets forth legislative findings. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall apply for federal grants and appropriations under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to fund, build infrastructure, promote, and expand school-located vaccination programs to provide seasonal influenza influenza vaccinations for school-age children. Sets forth sources from which the Department shall seek seek grant and appropriations. Provides that the Department shall make information regarding federal grants and appropriations opportunities under PPACA available to certain agencies. Effective on July 1, 2011.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning vaccinations.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the School Influenza Vaccination Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds as follows:

(1) Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The best way to help prevent seasonal influenza is by getting a vaccination each year.

(2) Every year in the United States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza-related complications and about 36,000 people, mostly the elderly, die from influenza-related causes.

(3) The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends seasonal influenza vaccinations for all eligible persons in the United States, including eligible children age 6 months through 18 years of age.

(4) Young adults and children 5 years to 19 years of age are 3 to 4 times more likely to be infected with influenza than adults.

(5) School-age children are the population group most responsible for transmission of contagious respiratory viruses, including influenza.

(6) The elderly are the next most vulnerable population susceptible to severe illness from influenza due to weaker immune response to vaccination.

(7) School-located influenza vaccination programs may be an effective way to vaccinate children while reducing transmission and infection rates to the larger community and at the same time reducing rates of school absenteeism due to children being infected with influenza.

(8) Schools can be an effective infrastructure tool to improve pandemic planning by identifying known and effective pandemic vaccination centers.

(9) Although experience has demonstrated the feasibility and success of school-located influenza vaccination programs in vaccinating children, funding and logistical issues, particularly involving the delivery of vaccine to children with private insurance coverage, are issues with program sustainability.

(10) Given the significant fiscal challenges ahead for this State, it is important for the General Assembly to ensure that State agencies maximize their opportunity to obtain additional federal funds.

(11) It is the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this Act to take full advantage of the funding and grant opportunities through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to improve State health care programs and invest in health prevention.

Section 10. Funding for school-located influenza vaccination programs.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall apply for federal grants and appropriations under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, to fund, build infrastructure, promote, and expand school-located vaccination programs to provide seasonal influenza influenza vaccinations for school-age children. The Department shall seek grants and appropriations from the following sources:

(1) Section 4201 of PPACA, Community Transformation Grants for the promotion of health living and reduction of racial and ethnic disparities.

(2) Section 4002 of PPACA, the Prevention and Public Health Investment Fund for prevention and public health initiatives.

(3) Section 4004 of PPACA, which provides funding for public education and outreach programs to encourage preventive care services.

(4) Section 1201 of PPACA, which directs the United States Department of Health and Human Services to fund demonstration projects to test wellness initiatives in the individual insurance market.

(5) Any other federal or private funding and grant opportunities for prevention and vaccination.

(b) The Department of Public Health shall make information regarding federal grant and appropriations opportunities under PPACA available to local government agencies, local public health departments, school districts, and State and local nonprofit organizations via the Department's website.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect on July 1, 2011.