Amendment #18, as changed to H3773

A Commission to Study Pancreatic Cancer

Mrs. Poirier of North Attleborough moves to amend the bill by adding at the end thereof, the following new section:

Section X. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a special commission to study pancreatic cancer. The commission shall consist of 15 members as follows: the secretary of health and human services, or a designee; the commissioner of public health, or a designee; the commissioner of insurance, or a designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on public health; the house minority leader, or a designee; the senate minority leader, or designee; 2 members appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be a person with pancreatic cancer, or a survivor, and 1 of whom is a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be a person with pancreatic cancer, or a survivor, and 1 of whom is a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer; and 4 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a person with pancreatic cancer, or a survivor, 1 of whom is a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer, and 2 members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the commission, is hereby established for the purpose of making an investigation and study to:

(1) establish a mechanism  in order to ascertain the prevalence of Pancreatic Cancer in Massachusetts, and the unmet needs of persons with Pancreatic Cancer and those of their families; collect time of diagnosis statistics and likely risks for Pancreatic Cancer;

(2) study Pancreatic Cancer prevention, screening, education and  support programs for Pancreatic Cancer in the Commonwealth;

(3) provide recommendations for additional legislation, support programs and resources necessary to meet the unmet  needs of persons with Pancreatic Cancer and their families and how to effectuate an early diagnosis and treatment for Pancreatic Cancer patients.

Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments.

The commission shall organize within 120 days following the appointment of a majority of its members and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.

The public members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided by section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws.

The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any state, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes."