October 25, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Bieda, Simpson, Johnson, Jackson, Leland, Bauer, Kathleen Law, Robert Jones, Scott, Donigan, Meisner, Vagnozzi, Constan, Lemmons, Rocca, Clack, Gillard, Meadows, Gonzales, McDowell, Accavitti, Young, Condino, Nofs and Gaffney and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled
"Public health code,"
(MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding part 55A.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
PART 55A. ARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Sec. 5551. This part shall be known and may be cited as the
"arthritis prevention and control act".
Sec. 5555. The purposes of this part are as follows:
(a) To create and foster a statewide program that promotes
public awareness and increases knowledge about the causes of
arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate
management, effective prevention strategies, and pain prevention
and management.
(b) To develop knowledge and enhance understanding of
arthritis by disseminating educational materials, information on
research results, services provided, and strategies for prevention
and control to patients, health professionals, and the public.
(c) To establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the
prevention of arthritis and related disability through
surveillance, epidemiology, and prevention research.
(d) To utilize educational and training resources and services
developed by organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge
of arthritis and to use available technical assistance.
(e) To evaluate the need for improving the quality and
accessibility of existing community-based arthritis services.
(f) To heighten awareness about the prevention, detection, and
treatment of arthritis among state and local health officials,
health professionals and other health care providers, and policy
makers.
(g) To implement and coordinate state and local programs and
services to reduce the public health burden of arthritis.
(h) To adequately fund the programs described in subdivision
(g) on a state level.
(i) To provide lasting improvements in the delivery of health
care for individuals with arthritis and their families, thus
improving their quality of life while also containing health care
costs.
Sec. 5557. The director of the department shall do all of the
following:
(a) Provide sufficient staff to implement the arthritis
prevention and control program.
(b) Provide appropriate training for the staff of the
arthritis prevention and control program.
(c) Identify the appropriate organizations to carry out the
program.
(d) Base the program on the most current scientific
information and findings.
(e) Work to increase and improve community-based services
available to people with arthritis and their family members.
(f) Work with governmental offices, national voluntary health
organizations and their local chapters, community and business
leaders, community organizations, and health care and human service
providers to coordinate efforts and maximize state resources in the
areas of prevention, education, detection, pain management, and
treatment of arthritis.
(g) Identify and, when appropriate, use evidence-based
arthritis programs and obtain related materials and services from
organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of
arthritis.
Sec. 5559. (1) The department shall establish, promote, and
maintain an arthritis prevention and control program in order to
raise public awareness, educate consumers, educate and train health
professionals, teachers, and human services providers, and for
other purposes.
(2) The department shall conduct a needs assessment to
identify all of the following, as it relates to arthritis:
(a) Epidemiological and other public health research being
conducted within the state.
(b) Available technical assistance and educational materials
and programs nationwide and within the state.
(c) The level of public and professional arthritis awareness.
(d) The needs of people in this state with arthritis, their
families, and caregivers.
(e) Educational and support service needs of health care
providers, including, but not limited to, physicians, nurses, and
managed care organizations.
(f) The services available to a person with arthritis.
(g) The existence of arthritis treatment, self-management,
physical activity, and other education programs.
(h) The existence of rehabilitation services.
(3) The department shall establish and coordinate an advisory
panel on arthritis that will provide nongovernmental input
regarding the arthritis prevention and control program. Membership
shall include, but is not limited to, persons with arthritis,
public health educators, medical experts on arthritis, providers of
arthritis health care, persons knowledgeable in health promotion
and education, and representatives of national arthritis
organizations and their local chapters.
(4) The department shall use, but is not limited to,
strategies consistent with the national arthritis action plan, the
Michigan arthritis action plan, and other existing state planning
efforts to raise public awareness and knowledge on the causes and
nature of arthritis, personal risk factors, value of prevention and
early detection, ways to minimize preventable pain, and options for
diagnosing and treating the disease.
(5) The department may replicate and use successful arthritis
programs, enter into contracts, and purchase materials or services
from entities with appropriate expertise for such services and
materials as are necessary to carry out the goals of the arthritis
prevention and control program.
(6) The department may enter into an agreement with 1 or more
national organizations with expertise in arthritis to implement
parts of the arthritis prevention and control program.
Sec. 5561. (1) The department may accept grants, services, and
property from the federal government and from private foundations,
organizations, medical schools, and other entities as may be
available for the purposes of fulfilling the obligations of the
arthritis prevention and control program.
(2) The department shall seek a federal waiver or waivers if
necessary to maximize funds received from the federal government to
implement the arthritis prevention and control program.