Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1407 is enacted to read:

§1407.__Cancer prevention, research and treatment

1.__Program established.__The Bureau of Health shall establish a cancer prevention and control program to provide leadership for and coordination of cancer prevention, research and treatment activities.__The program may include, but is__ not limited to:

A.__Monitoring cancer prevalence at the state and community levels through the cancer-incidence registry under section 1404 and other means;

B.__Education and training of health professionals on the current methods of diagnosing and treating cancer;

C.__Patient and family education on how to manage the disease and the treatment of the disease; and

D.__Consultation with and support of community-based cancer prevention, research and treatment programs.

2.__Consultation.__In implementing the program established in subsection 1, the Bureau of Health shall consult with the Medicaid program administered by the department and with the Department of Education.__In addition, the bureau shall seek advice from other organizations and private entities concerned with cancer prevention, research and treatment.

3.__Funding.__The Bureau of Health may accept federal funds and grants for implementing the program established in subsection 1 and may contract for work with outside vendors or individuals.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a cancer prevention and control program to provide leadership for and coordination of cancer prevention, research and treatment activities within the State. The program is authorized to receive federal grant money. The program will consult with statewide organizations concerned with the treatment and prevention of cancer.