HB 4846

Abstract

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates a standing Task Force on Huntington's Disease within the Department of Public Health. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Task Force and its operations. Provides that Members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties and that the Department shall provide staff and technical assistance to the Task Force to the extent possible within annual appropriations for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Sets forth that Task Force duties include, (i) obtaining data and analyses regarding the prevalence and burden of Huntington's disease, (ii) coordinating the efforts of the Task Force with existing State committees and programs providing Huntington's disease education, counseling, and case management, (iii) raising public awareness on the nature of Huntington's disease, the value of early detection, options for testing, treatment costs, new technology, medical care reimbursement, and physician education, (iv) examining the limitations of existing laws, regulations, programs, and services with regard to coverage and awareness issues for Huntington's disease, and (v) receiving and considering reports and testimony from individuals and public and private health organizations to learn more about their contributions to Huntington's disease diagnosis and treatment and more about their ideas for improving Huntington's disease diagnosis and treatment in Illinois. Provides for annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly. Sets forth that the Task Force shall expire on April 1, 2009, or upon submission of the Task Force's final report to the Governor and the General Assembly, whichever occurs earlier. Effective October 1, 2006.