HF 232 (LSB 2080HH (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 232

BY  RUNNING-MARQUARDT, STAED, T. TAYLOR, and M. SMITH

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the state comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135P.1  Definitions.
   As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
   1.  “Alzheimer’s disease” or “Alzheimer’s” means a progressive, degenerative, fatal disorder that results in loss of memory, loss of thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. “Alzheimer’s disease” includes related dementias including vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, Crutzfeldt-Jakob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and mixed dementia.
   2.  “Department” means the department of public health.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  135P.2  Alzheimer’s disease —— state-level coordination and comprehensive response strategy.
   1.  The department shall develop and administer, and provide for state-level coordination of, a comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy in accordance with the recommendations of the stakeholder workgroup convened pursuant to 2011 Iowa Acts, chapter 61. The response strategy shall include development and monitoring of short-term and long-term objectives and action steps to ensure that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have access to the highest quality and most appropriate care at all stages of the disease and in all settings across the service and supports continuum. The response strategy may include prioritization of objectives and action steps to most efficiently utilize resources and funding. The department shall update the initial response strategy biennially and shall submit a progress report annually in January to the governor and the general assembly. 
   2.  In providing state-level coordination, the department shall integrate public and private resources and programs, reduce duplication, evaluate programs and services to ensure that evidence-based, high-quality programs and services are available to maximize the positive impact for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers, and promote public awareness.

   3.  In developing the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy, the department shall do all of the following:
   a.  Establish an Alzheimer’s disease coordinator position in the department in a manner similar to those positions that address other chronic conditions in the state. The coordinator, in partnership with public and private entities and the multidisciplinary advisory council convened pursuant to paragraph “b”, shall do all of the following:
   (1)  Implement the recommendations of the Alzheimer’s disease stakeholder workgroup convened pursuant to 2011 Iowa Acts, chapter 61, and establish standards for the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy. 
   (2)  Inform, educate, and empower the public regarding the impact of Alzheimer’s disease, in order to increase awareness of the disease and in particular the benefits of early detection, while working to decrease the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
   (3)  Monitor the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment in the state through data collection and coordination efforts. Such data shall be made available to and used to assist public and private efforts in developing evidence-based programs and policies that address Alzheimer’s disease.
   (4)  Evaluate, and promote the improved effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of, clinical and population-based Alzheimer’s services. The evaluation and promotion efforts shall include coordination of services to reach rural and underserved areas of the state.
   (5)  Ensure a competent public and private sector workforce specific to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. The effort shall include coordinating existing state efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate curricula and training requirements for providers of services who interact with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

   (6)  Act as a liaison to the aging and disabilities resource centers, area agencies on aging, Alzheimer’s association chapters, the health and long-term care access advisory council created by the department to implement the directives of sections 135.163 and 135.164, and other entities to ensure Alzheimer’s disease is appropriately addressed in the state.
   (7)  Secure public and private funding relating to dementia to fulfill the duties specified under this chapter.
   b.  Convene a multidisciplinary advisory council. The council shall assist and advise the department and the coordinator; develop partnerships to provide coordination, collaboration, and support for Alzheimer’s-related services and programs throughout the state; and advocate on behalf of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The advisory council shall, at a minimum, include representation from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families; caregivers and other providers of services and supports; medical providers including primary and specialty care providers, which shall include geriatricians, neurologists, and others with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease; the Alzheimer’s association; community-based organizations and other organizations with interest or expertise in Alzheimer’s disease; academic institutions and programs with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; and appropriate state agencies including but not limited to the department on aging, the department of human services, the department of inspections and appeals, the department of public safety, and the department of workforce development. The department shall enlist private entities in providing staff support for the council.
    Sec. 3.  REPEAL.  Sections 135.171 and 231.62, Code 2013, are repealed.
    Sec. 4.  INCORPORATION OF EXISTING STATE DUTIES.  The department of public health shall incorporate the requirements specified in sections 135.171 and 231.62, Code 2013, into the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease strategy developed and administered pursuant to this Act.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to state-level coordination of and a comprehensive response strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. The bill creates a new Code chapter, Code chapter 135P, to direct that the department of public health (DPH) is to develop and administer, and provide for state-level coordination of, a comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy. The bill provides a definition of Alzheimer’s disease which includes related dementias. 
   The bill directs DPH to develop and administer a comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy, to update the strategy biennially, and to submit a progress report annually in January to the governor and the general assembly. The response strategy may include prioritization of objectives and action steps to most efficiently utilize resources and funding. 
   In providing state-level coordination, DPH is directed to integrate public and private resources and programs, reduce duplication, evaluate programs and services to ensure that evidence-based, high-quality programs and services are available to maximize the positive impact for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers, and promote public awareness.
   In developing and administering the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy, DPH is directed to establish an Alzheimer’s disease coordinator within the department and to convene a multidisciplinary advisory council. 
   The coordinator, in partnership with public and private entities and the multidisciplinary advisory council, is directed to implement the recommendations of the 2011 Alzheimer’s disease stakeholder workgroup, and establish standards for the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy; inform, educate, and empower the public regarding the impact of Alzheimer’s disease, in order to increase awareness of the disease and in particular the benefits of early detection, while working to decrease the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease; monitor the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment in the state through data collection and coordination efforts and make the data available to assist public and private efforts in developing evidence-based programs and policies that address Alzheimer’s disease; evaluate, and promote the improved effectiveness, accessibility and quality of, clinical and population-based Alzheimer’s services, including coordination of services to reach rural and underserved areas of the state; ensure a competent public and private sector workforce specific to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease including through coordination of state efforts regarding curricula and training requirements for providers of services who interact with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease; act as a liaison to various entities to ensure Alzheimer’s disease is appropriately addressed in the state; and secure public and private funding relating to dementia to fulfill the duties specified under this chapter.
   The multidisciplinary advisory council is to assist and advise the department and the coordinator; develop partnerships related to Alzheimer’s-related services and programs throughout the state; and advocate on behalf of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The bill specifies the minimum representation to be included in the advisory council.
   The bill repeals the Code section relating to a directive to DPH to analyze Iowa’s population to determine the existing service utilization and future service needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia (Code section 135.171). The bill also repeals the Code section relating to a directive to the department on aging to review trends and initiatives to address the long-term living needs of Iowans with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia, and to expand and improve training and education of persons who regularly deal with persons with Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of irreversible dementia (Code section 231.62). DPH is required to incorporate both of these directives into the comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease response strategy developed and administered under the bill.