House Bill 1046

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HEPATITIS C FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE PREVENTION AND THE CONTROL OF THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS; TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND ITS DUTIES; TO PROVIDE THAT A REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE CONVENING OF THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is a silent killer that is largely asymptomatic until irreversible liver damage occurs; and

WHEREAS, infecting approximately four million five hundred thousand (4,500,000) people in the United States, with thirty-five thousand (35,000) new infections each year, Hepatitis C is referred to as the "silent epidemic"; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C infects three times more people than does AIDS, and is responsible for one-third (1/3) of all liver transplants; and

WHEREAS, being one (1) of the most significant preventable and treatable public health problems facing our nation today, Hepatitis C may be carried by individuals who expose others to the virus for more than twenty (20) years without showing any symptoms; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine, and as a result, emphasis must be placed on other means of awareness and prevention of this disease, including, but not limited to, educating individuals who are at high risk for contracting Hepatitis C, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, health care workers and the general public; and

WHEREAS, educating the public and health care community throughout the state about Hepatitis C will help to ensure an optimal approach to controlling this lethal disease; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is established the State Advisory Council on Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

(2) The advisory council shall consist of ten (10) members as follows:

(a) One (1) member of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee who is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(b) One (1) member of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee who is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(c) One (1) member of the House Military Affairs Committee who is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(d) One (1) member of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee who is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(e) One (1) member shall be an internist who is appointed by the Governor;

(f) One (1) member shall be a hematologist who is appointed by the Governor;

(h) One (1) member shall be a hepatologist who is appointed by the Governor;

(i) One (1) member shall be a clinical researcher specializing in the diseases of the liver who is appointed by the Governor;

(j) One (1) member shall be a member of the general public who is appointed by the Governor; and

(k) One (1) member shall be a nurse practitioner who is appointed by the Governor.

(3) The duties of the advisory council shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Collecting and analyzing data regarding the extent to which Mississippians suffer from HCV, and the programs and services currently available to meet the needs of those individuals and to identify those who may be infected;

(b) Collecting and analyzing data to demonstrate the economic impact on the state of treating HCV and the estimated cost savings of implementing a comprehensive statewide prevention and management model;

(c) Establishing and maintaining a resources data bank containing information about HCV and related subjects accessible to educational and research institutions, as well as members of the general public;

(d) Establishing recommendations to enhance funding for effective prevention and management programs and services, including Medicaid, private health insurance programs and other state and federal funds;

(e) Recommending policy to enhance clinical education curricula in medical, nursing and other schools of higher education to implement comprehensive, coordinated HCV awareness and education courses;

(f) Recommending policy to increase education and awareness among primary care physicians, other health care professionals, veterans, law enforcement officers and fire fighters regarding the recognition, prevention and effective management of HCV;

(g) Considering a state prevention campaign to increase public awareness of the need for early prevention and management of HCV that may include the following:

(i) A broad-based public education campaign outlining health risks associated with failure to receive treatment for HCV;

(ii) A professional training campaign; and

(iii) A targeted public education campaign directed towards those at high risk.

(h) Coordinating with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Centers for Disease Control, and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention to share resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling HCV; and

(i) Coordinating with the State Department of Health and the Division of Medicaid to share resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to prevent and control HCV.

(4) The members of the advisory council shall serve terms of two (2) years, and if a member resigns before the end of his or her term, then his or her successor shall be appointed to complete the unexpired term. At its first meeting, the advisory council shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership, and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. If sufficient funds are available to the advisory council, members of the advisory council other than legislative members may receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the advisory board in accordance with Section 25-3-41.

(5) The advisory council shall conduct meetings at least quarterly. Meetings of the council shall be open to the public and opportunity for public comment shall be made available at each meeting.

(6) The advisory council shall be assigned to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes only, and it shall designate staff to assist the council. The council may solicit grants, donations and other funds, and may accept and expend any funds that are made available to the council to carry out its purpose. However, no state general funds may be used to pay any expenses of the advisory council.

(7) All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges, shall cooperate with the advisory council with such assistance as requested by the council.

(8) Before December 1, 2006, the advisory council shall submit a report, including any proposed legislation if necessary, to the Governor and to the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. The report shall include a comprehensive state plan for implementation of services and programs in the state that will increase prevention and control of HCV, and an estimate of the cost of the implementation of such a plan.

(9) The advisory council shall be dissolved on July 1, 2008.SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.