Public Act 096-0325
 
SB0270 Enrolled LRB096 08004 RPM 18108 b

    AN ACT concerning public health.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Department of Public Health Powers and
Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
amended by adding Section 2310-645 as follows:
 
    (20 ILCS 2310/2310-645 new)
    Sec. 2310-645. Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment
Pilot Program.
    (a) The General Assembly finds that colorectal cancer is
the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among Illinoisans, and
nearly 3,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected to
occur in Illinois in a given year. Screening is necessary in
order to detect colorectal cancer in its early stages.
Screening reduces mortality both by decreasing the incidence
and by detecting a higher proportion of cancers at early, more
treatable stages.
    (b) The Department of Public Health may establish and
implement the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot
Program in areas of the State that have the highest incidences
of mortality related to colon cancer. Subject to appropriation,
the Department of Public Health may make grants to eligible
entities for the purpose of carrying out the Program. An
eligible entity that is a recipient of a grant may use the
grant to carry out such programs directly or through grants to,
or contracts with, public, private, and not-for-profit
entities. The Department of Public Health may give preference
to entities that serve underserved populations. The Program may
run no less than 3 years from the effective date of this
amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, and an evaluation
of the Program must be carried out measuring health outcomes
and the cost of care for those served by the Program compared
to similarly situated patients who are not served by the
Program. A report must be submitted by the Department of Public
Health to the Governor and the General Assembly every year of
program implementation. The report shall include, but not be
limited to, (1) an assessment of implementation, (2) an
analysis of program costs and savings to the State, and (3) a
description of program outcomes.
    The Program may provide funding for colorectal cancer
examinations and laboratory tests specified in current
American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for colorectal cancer
screening of asymptomatic individuals. Screening and treatment
may be provided for colorectal screening examinations and tests
that are administered at a frequency identified in the current
ACS guidelines for colorectal cancer.
    (c) The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot
Program may provide colorectal cancer screening and treatment
services for individuals who:
        (1) are at least 50 years of age or are less than 50
    years of age and at high risk of colorectal cancer; and
        (2) do not have creditable coverage, as defined under
    the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and
    Accountability Act, or have otherwise exhausted any
    insurance benefits they may have had.
    (d) Persons who have been screened for colorectal cancer
under the Colorectal Cancer Pilot Program may receive medical
assistance identical to benefits provided under the State's
approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
Medical assistance may be available immediately for the
duration of the treatment for such cancer.
    (e) In addition to providing clinical services, the
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program may
develop and disseminate public information about the
importance of screening, engage in outreach efforts to serve as
many eligible individuals as possible, and monitor and evaluate
all of the sites where the Program is located.