(a)The General Assembly finds that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among Illinoisans, and nearly 3,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected to occur in Illinois in a given year. Screening is necessary in order to detect colorectal cancer in its early stages. Screening reduces mortality both by decreasing the incidence and by detecting a higher proportion of cancers at early, more treatable stages.
(b)The Department of Public Health may establish and implement the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program in areas of the State that have the highest incidences of mortality related to colon cancer. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Health may make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out the Program. An el
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(a) The General Assembly finds that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among Illinoisans, and nearly 3,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected to occur in Illinois in a given year. Screening is necessary in order to detect colorectal cancer in its early stages. Screening reduces mortality both by decreasing the incidence and by detecting a higher proportion of cancers at early, more treatable stages. (b) The Department of Public Health may establish and implement the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program in areas of the State that have the highest incidences of mortality related to colon cancer. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Health may make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out the Program. An eligible entity that is a recipient of a grant may use the grant to carry out such programs directly or through grants to, or contracts with, public, private, and not-for-profit entities. The Department of Public Health may give preference to entities that serve underserved populations. The Program may run no less than 3 years from the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, and an evaluation of the Program must be carried out measuring health outcomes and the cost of care for those served by the Program compared to similarly situated patients who are not served by the Program. A report must be submitted by the Department of Public Health to the Governor and the General Assembly every year of program implementation. The report shall include, but not be limited to, (1) an assessment of implementation, (2) an analysis of program costs and savings to the State, and (3) a description of program outcomes. The Program may provide funding for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests specified in current American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for colorectal cancer screening of asymptomatic individuals. Screening and treatment may be provided for colorectal screening examinations and tests that are administered at a frequency identified in the current ACS guidelines for colorectal cancer. (c) The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program may provide colorectal cancer screening and treatment services for individuals who: (1) are at least 50 years of age or are less than 50 years of age and at high risk of colorectal cancer; and (2) do not have creditable coverage, as defined under the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or have otherwise exhausted any insurance benefits they may have had. (d) Persons who have been screened for colorectal cancer under the Colorectal Cancer Pilot Program may receive medical assistance identical to benefits provided under the State's approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Medical assistance may be available immediately for the duration of the treatment for such cancer. (e) In addition to providing clinical services, the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program may develop and disseminate public information about the importance of screening, engage in outreach efforts to serve as many eligible individuals as possible, and monitor and evaluate all of the sites where the Program is located.