207 - Health care and wellness education and outreach program.
§ 207. Health care and wellness education and outreach program. 1. There is hereby created within the department the health care and wellness education and outreach program. The department may conduct education and outreach programs for consumers, patients, and health care providers relating to any health care matters the commissioner deems appropriate and: (a) Various health conditions, diseases and health care procedures and treatment options, including but not limited to those for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, testicular, skin, and ovarian cancer, shaken baby syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome and post-polio sequelae. (b) Recommended preventative and wellness practices and services, including evidence based age and gender appropriate testing and screening exams and immunization schedules. * (c) Lymphedema, an abnormal swelling of the extremities including the causes and symptoms of lymphedema, the value of early detection, possible options for treatment including their benefits and risks, and other relevant information and the recommendation that hospitals treating breast cancer patients implement a lymphedema alert program by placing a bright pink wristband on the patient's affected arm. * NB Effective until January 26, 2011 * (c) Lymphedema and lymphatic disease, an abnormal swelling of the extremities including the causes, symptoms of primary lymphedema, secondary lymphedema and lymphatic disease, prevention, early diagnosis, options for treatment and therapy, long-term chronic care issues, the value of early detection, possible options for treatment including their benefits and risks, and other relevant information and the recommendation that hospitals treating breast cancer patients implement a lymphedema alert program by placing a bright pink wristband on the patient's affected arm. Links to national lymphedema and lymphatic disease organizations shall be provided as part of the informational summary and electronically through the department's websites. * NB Effective January 26, 2011 (d) The need and importance of organ and tissue donation, including information about being registered as an organ and tissue donor and executing documents of gift under article forty-three of this chapter. (e) The need and importance for consumers and patients to have an advance directive, particularly a health care proxy, and the need and importance for health care providers to play a leadership role in discussing end-of-life care preferences and values with patients and to provide patients with health care proxy forms. (f) Uterine fibroids, an abnormal growth that occurs in the uterus, including the causes and symptoms of uterine fibroids, the value of early detection, possible options for treatment including their benefits and risks, information on the elevated risk for minority women and other relevant information. (g) Improving birth outcomes, including the importance of preconceptional care, early prenatal care, considerations of health risks during pregnancy, considerations of benefits and risks of labor and delivery options including, but not limited to, vaginal and cesarean section delivery, elective or repeat cesarean sections, and appropriate use of drugs during delivery. (h) Palliative care options for patients with a terminal illness or condition. 2. Programs under this section, dealing with one or more subjects, may include but not be limited to any of the following elements: (a) educational and informational materials in print, audio, visual, electronic or other media;(b) public service announcements and advertisements; and (c) establishment of toll-free telephone hotlines and electronic services to provide information. 3. The department may produce, make available to others for reproduction, or contract with others to develop such materials mentioned in this section as the commissioner deems appropriate. These materials shall be made available to the public free of charge as appropriate or for a fee under certain circumstances. The commissioner may require where appropriate any health care provider to make these materials available to patients. 4. In exercising any of his or her powers under this section, the commissioner may consult with appropriate health care professionals, providers, consumers, and patients or organizations representing them. 5. The commissioner shall ensure that all information and materials produced pursuant to this section are maintained and updated to reflect best practice recommendations. 6. The commissioner may appoint as appropriate advisory councils relating to various matters that are or are proposed to be the subjects of programs under this section. All such councils shall include representation of health care professionals, providers, consumers, patients and other appropriate interests. The members of the councils shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties. 7. In addition to state funds appropriated for programs under this section, the commissioner may accept grants from public or private sources for these programs. The commissioner, in administering this section, shall seek to coordinate the department's programs with other public and private programs, and may undertake joint or cooperative programs with other public or private entities. 8. The commissioner may make rules and regulations necessary and appropriate for implementation of this section.