HB 869

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to Crohn's and Colitis disease research;
3creating the Crohn's and Colitis Disease Research Act;
4requiring the Department of Health to conduct an
5inflammatory bowel disease epidemiology study with the
6University of Florida College of Public Health and Health
7Professions; requiring the Agency for Health Care
8Administration to conduct a chronic disease study on the
9coverage standards provided by Medicaid for inflammatory
10bowel disease therapies; providing for membership in a
11study group; requiring reports to the Governor and
12Legislature; providing an effective date.
13
14     WHEREAS, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and
15ulcerative colitis (collectively known as IBD) are chronic
16disorders of the gastrointestinal tract which afflict
17approximately 47,000 Floridians, and
18     WHEREAS, inflammatory bowel disease can cause abdominal
19pain, fever, and rectal bleeding and complications may include
20arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, liver disease, and colon
21cancer, and
22     WHEREAS, inflammatory bowel disease represents a major
23cause of morbidity from digestive illness and, although it is
24not fatal, inflammatory bowel disease is often devastating, NOW,
25THEREFORE,
26
27Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
28
29     Section 1.  This act may be cited as the "Crohn's and
30Colitis Disease Research Act."
31     Section 2.  Studies; reports.--
32     (1)  The Department of Health, in conjunction with the
33University of Florida College of Public Health and Health
34Professions, shall conduct an inflammatory bowel disease
35epidemiology study. The goal of the study is to gain a better
36understanding of the prevalence of the disease in the state, the
37unique demographic characteristics of the patient population,
38and the role that environmental factors and family history play
39in the development of the disease. The Department of Health is
40authorized to convene a study group for the purpose of
41conducting an epidemiological study of inflammatory bowel
42disease in order to collect demographic information on the
43characteristics of the patient population affected by this
44disease. The study group shall consist of a representative of
45the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, a representative
46from one or more of the major universities researching this
47disease, a representative from the Agency for Health Care
48Administration, a representative from the Department of Health,
49including department epidemiologists, a representative from
50medical providers, one member of the House of Representatives,
51one member of the Senate, and any other individual the
52department considers appropriate to participate in the study
53group. The department shall submit a report of its findings to
54the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
55the House of Representatives by February 1, 2006.
56     (2)  The Agency for Health Care Administration shall
57conduct a chronic disease study on Medicaid coverage for
58therapies required by patients with inflammatory bowel disease,
59such as ostomy supplies, parenteral nutrition, enteral
60nutrition, medically necessary food products, and therapies
61approved by the Food and Drug Administration for Crohn's disease
62and ulcerative colitis. The study will take into consideration
63the appropriate outpatient or home health care settings,
64identify gaps in Medicaid coverage that impact the health and
65quality of life for inflammatory bowel disease patients, and
66empower the inflammatory bowel disease community to pursue
67appropriate changes in the Medicaid reimbursement policy. The
68agency shall submit a report of its findings to the Governor,
69the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
70Representatives by February 1, 2006.
71     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2005.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.