HSB 610 (LSB 5543YC (1) 83)

HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES BILL BY CHAIRPERSON SMITH)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and the role of the department of public health in collecting data concerning Alzheimer’s disease and providing resources and services to persons suffering from the disease.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 135.171, Code 2009, is amended by striking the section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   135.171  Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders —— Alzheimer’s disease service needs.
   1.  The department shall develop a resource to oversee information and resources related to policy and services affecting the rapidly increasing number of residents of this state with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia, and the caregivers and families of the residents.
   2.  The department, in consultation with the Alzheimer’s association, area agencies on aging, the department on aging, and other entities that work with persons suffering from dementia-related illnesses, shall have the following duties:
   a.  Develop and improve resources and services to enhance the quality of life for persons affected by dementia and for their caregivers.
   b.  Compile a biannual analysis of Iowa’s population by county and age to determine the existing service utilization and future service needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia and of the caregivers to these persons. The analysis shall also address the availability of existing caregiver services for such needs and the appropriate service level for the future.
   c.  Collect data on the numbers of persons demonstrating combative behavior related to Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia. The department shall also collect data on the number of physicians and geropsychiatric units available in the state to provide treatment and services to such persons. Health care facilities that serve such persons shall provide information to the department for the purposes of the data collection required by this paragraph.
   d.  Recommend the delivery of services in the most effective and efficient manner possible to facilitate the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.
   e.  Convene workgroups as needed to address emerging concerns related to the purpose of the department.
   f.  Seek funding that will enhance the department’s abilities to perform its duties under this section.
   g.  Raise public awareness about existing services for Iowans impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia through public awareness campaigns and referrals to existing resources.
   h.  Coordinate and oversee collaborative efforts to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Alzheimer’s disease task force, ensuring that the department’s work supports but does not duplicate other initiatives and programs within the state, including the activities of the department on aging pursuant to section 231.62.
   3.  The department shall modify its community needs assessment activities to include questions to identify and quantify the numbers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia at the community level.
   4.  The implementation of the requirements of this section shall be limited to the extent of the funding appropriated or otherwise made available for the requirements.
EXPLANATION
   This bill strikes and replaces Code section 131.71, incorporating the existing provisions, relating to the collection and analysis of information relating to Alzheimer’s disease. The department shall develop a resource to oversee information and resources related to policy and services affecting persons with dementia, and the caregivers and families of those persons. The department has a variety of duties relating to improving services to persons with dementia, and their caregivers and families, consulting with state agencies and other stakeholders, compiling a biannual analysis of Iowa’s population by county and age to determine current utilization and future service needs of stakeholders, and raising public awareness about existing services.
   The bill incorporates existing language from Code section 131.71 which requires the department of public health to include in its community needs assessment activities questions to identify and quantify the numbers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia at the community level.
   The bill incorporates existing language from Code section 131.71 which makes implementation of these requirements contingent on the availability of funding.