[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the cancer coordination and control advisory committee; adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that over eight million people in the United States have been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives; that approximately one hundred seven billion dollars are spent on medical care to treat this disease; that a comprehensive approach to cancer is needed that will be more responsive to the issue than a piecemeal approach; and that a comprehensive approach to cancer will enable Washington state to choose where to focus health promotion resources, set statewide priorities, and build a coordinated team of educators, institutions, and organizations.

The legislature further finds that the formation and development of an advisory committee on comprehensive cancer coordination and control is an important part of the legislature's goal to positively impact the overall health and well-being of its citizens.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:

(1) For the purposes of this section, "a comprehensive approach to cancer" means an integrated and coordinated approach to reduce the incidence, morbidity, mortality, and family anguish of cancer through prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.

(2) The advisory committee on cancer coordination and control is established in the department. The committee may have no more than twenty members, including the secretary or the secretary's designee who shall serve as chair. The committee must meet at least quarterly in its first year and at least annually thereafter. Four of the members of the committee must be legislators, one appointed by each caucus of the house of representatives and senate. The remainder of the members shall be included but not limited to the following: Cancer survivors, public and private health plans, advocacy organizations, research groups, hospitals, local public health officials, physicians, nurses, and employers.

(3) Except for the secretary, members of the committee serve four-year terms. Of the initial members, five must be appointed for a one-year term, five must be appointed for a two-year term, five must be appointed for a three-year term, and five must be appointed for a four-year term. Members may succeed themselves for one term and may be appointed again after being off the committee for one term.

(4) The committee must recommend to the secretary a plan for the statewide implementation of an interagency comprehensive coordinated cancer control program that includes but is not limited to:

(a) Identifying and examining the limitations and problems associated with existing laws, rules, programs, and services related to cancer control;

(b) Examining the awareness of, access to, and financing of cancer control services for Washington's citizens, with attention paid to the

uninsured and underinsured, and regional, urban, and rural differences;

(d) Identifying and reviewing health promotion and disease prevention strategies relating to the leading causes of cancer mortality and morbidity; and

(e) Supporting and encouraging state research efforts to find a cure for cancer.

(5) The department must submit a written report not later than twelve months after the effective date of this section to the governor and the legislature. The report must address a written plan, including policy recommendations, for statewide implementation of a coordinated cancer control program.

(6) Annual reports must then be submitted thereafter to highlight plan implementation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.