SB1752 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 11162 DRJ 21543 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB1752

Introduced 2/19/2009, by Sen. Donne E. Trotter - William Delgado - Mattie Hunter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Parkinson's Disease Public Awareness and Education Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health, subject to appropriation, shall establish a Parkinson's disease public awareness and education program to promote public awareness of Parkinson's disease and the value of early detection and possible treatments, including the benefits and risks of those treatments. Provides that the program shall include the following: (1) development of a public education and outreach campaign to promote Parkinson's disease awareness and education; (2) development of educational materials to be made available to consumers through local health departments, physicians, hospitals, and clinics; and (3) development and maintenance of a list of current providers of specialized services for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

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 Parkinson's Disease Public Awareness and Education Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Parkinson's disease is a debilitating, painful and incurable neurological disorder of unknown origin that disrupts and can end the lives of those who suffer from it.

(2) Parkinson's disease causes diverse symptoms, including rigidity, slowness of movement, poor balance and tremors, which lead to an impaired ability to walk, speak, swallow and even breathe, so that the end result can be a clear mind trapped inside a body that has lost its ability to function.

(3) The visible symptoms of Parkinson's disease are often mistaken to be a normal part of the aging process.

(4) In addition, many people with the disease encounter precarious legal and personal situations in which they are erroneously thought to be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs or alcohol due to their movement and gait patterns.

(5) Parkinson's disease takes an enormous emotional, psychological and physical toll on caregivers and families, overwhelming their lives.

(6) It has been estimated that 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 50,000 more are diagnosed nationally each year, and another 1.5 million persons have the disease but have never seen a neurologist.

(7) Parkinson's disease requires the expenditure of some $25 billion per year, including medical treatments, disability payments and lost productivity.

(8) Medications can only control some of the symptoms of the disease and only for uncertain periods of time.

(9) Increased public awareness and education are needed among health care, social services, judicial, law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel in order to better respond to the needs of Parkinson's disease patients, their caregivers and families.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Program" means the Parkinson's disease public awareness and education program established pursuant to this Act.

Section 15. Program established. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish a Parkinson's disease public awareness and education program. The purpose of the program shall be to promote public awareness of Parkinson's disease and the value of early detection and possible treatments, including the benefits and risks of those treatments. The Department may accept, for that purpose, any special grant of moneys, services, or property from the federal government or any of its agencies, or from any foundation, organization, or medical school.

Section 20. Program contents. The program shall include the following:

(1) Development of a public education and outreach campaign to promote Parkinson's disease awareness and education, including, but not limited to, the following subjects:

(A) The cause and nature of the disease.

(B) Diagnostic procedures and appropriate indications for their use.

(C) Lifestyle issues relating to how a person copes with Parkinson's disease, including, but not limited to, nutrition, diet, and physical exercise.

(D) Environmental safety and injury prevention.

(E) Availability of Parkinson's disease diagnostic and treatment services in the community.

(2) Development of educational materials to be made available to consumers through local health departments, physicians, hospitals, and clinics.

(3) Development and maintenance of a list of current providers of specialized services for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease.