S‑1645.1 _____________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6067
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senators West, Deccio, McDonald, Kohl‑Welles and Sheahan
Read first time 02/16/2001. Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.
_1 AN ACT Relating to creating an advisory committee on cancer
_2 coordination and control; adding a new section to chapter 43.70
_3 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
_4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
_5 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:
_6 (1) Over eight million people in the United States have been
_7 diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives;
_8 (2) Approximately one hundred seven billion dollars are spent
_9 on medical care to treat this disease;
10 (3) A comprehensive approach to cancer is needed and will be
11 more responsive to the issue than a piecemeal approach;
12 (4) A comprehensive approach to cancer will enable Washington
13 state to choose where to focus health promotion resources, set
14 statewide priorities, and build a coordinated team of educators,
15 institutions, organizations, and the state; and
16 (5) The formation and development of an advisory committee on
17 cancer coordination and control is an important part of the
p. 1 SB 6067
_1 legislature's goal to positively impact the overall health and
_2 well-being of its citizens.
_3 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.70
_4 RCW to read as follows:
_5 The advisory committee on cancer coordination and control is
_6 established in the department. The committee must have no more than
_7 twenty members, including the secretary of the department or his
_8 or her designee who shall serve as chair. The committee shall meet
_9 at least quarterly in its first year, and annually thereafter. Four
10 of the members of the committee must be legislators, one appointed
11 by each caucus of the house of representatives and senate. The
12 remainder of the members must include, but not be limited to, the
13 following sectors: Cancer survivors, public and private health
14 plans, advocacy organizations, research, hospitals, local public
15 health, physicians, and nurses.
16 Except for the secretary, the members shall serve four-year
17 terms. Of the initial members, five must be appointed for a one-
18 year term, five must be appointed for a two-year term, five must
19 be appointed for a three-year term, and five must be appointed for
20 a four-year term. Members may succeed themselves for one term and
21 may be appointed again after being off the committee for one term.
22 The committee shall recommend to the secretary a plan for the
23 statewide implementation of an interagency comprehensive
24 coordinated cancer control program that includes but is not
25 limited to:
26 (1) Identify and examine the limitations and problems
27 associated with existing laws, regulations, programs, and services
28 related to cancer control;
29 (2) Examine the awareness of, access to, and financing of
30 cancer control services for Washington's citizens, with attention
31 paid to the uninsured and underinsured, and regional and
32 urban/rural differences;
33 (3) Advise the secretary on a coordinated, effective, and
34 efficient use of resources;
35 (4) Identify and review health promotion and disease prevention
36 strategies relating to the leading causes of cancer mortality and
37 morbidity; and
SB 6067 p. 2
_1 (5) Support and encourage state research efforts to find a cure
_2 for cancer.
_3 The department shall submit a written report not later than
_4 twelve months after the effective date of this act to the governor
_5 and legislature. The report must address a written plan, including
_6 policy recommendations, for statewide implementation of a
_7 coordinated cancer control program. Annual reports must be
_8 submitted thereafter to highlight plan implementation.
_9 As used in this section, "comprehensive approach to cancer"
10 means an integrated and coordinated approach to reduce the
11 incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer through prevention,
12 early detection, and timely treatment.
13 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If any provision of this act or its
14 application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
15 remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other
16 persons or circumstances is not affected.
17 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate
18 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of
19 the state government and its existing public institutions, and
20 takes effect immediately.
‑‑‑ END ‑‑‑
p. 3 SB 6067