HB 869

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

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