Amendment ID: S2025-12-R1

Redraft Amendment 12

Commission to Study Pancreatic Cancer

Messrs. Montigny, deMacedo, Rodrigues, Timilty, Tarr, Humason and McGee, Ms. Forry, Mr. Ross, Ms. Lovely and Mr. Fattman move to amend the bill by inserting after section 74 the following new section:

“SECTION 74A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission to study pancreatic cancer. The commission shall consist of: 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 to be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be a person with pancreatic cancer or a survivor and 1 of whom shall be a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer; 2 members to be 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 shall be a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer; and 4 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a person with pancreatic cancer or a survivor, 1 of whom shall be a medical specialist in pancreatic cancer, and 2 of whom shall be members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the commission.  The special commission shall make an investigation and study to:

(1) establish a mechanism in order to ascertain the prevalence of pancreatic cancer in the commonwealth and the unmet needs of persons with pancreatic cancer and those of their families and collect time-of-diagnosis statistics and likely risks for pancreatic cancer;

(2) study pancreatic cancer prevention, screening, education and support programs for 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 members shall serve without compensation for their duties on the commission 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."