2025 -- H 5619

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LC001918

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Shallcross Smith, Casimiro,
Dawson, McEntee, Bennett, Donovan, Cotter, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.7 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Program to

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Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     23-1.7-7. Education and outreach regarding brain health and dementia.

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     (a) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to

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§ 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk

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reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing public health outreach programs

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to:

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     (1) Increase public understanding and awareness of:

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     (i) Brain health and dementia risk reduction;

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     (ii) Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias;

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     (iii) The value of early detection and timely diagnosis; and

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     (iv) The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other chronic health

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conditions.

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     (2) Ensure public awareness and outreach programs:

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     (i) Provide clear, uniform guidance in nonclinical terms; and

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     (ii) Prioritize populations at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other

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dementias.

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     (b) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to

 

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§ 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk

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reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing healthcare provider education

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and outreach programs to educate providers regarding:

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     (1) The importance of risk reduction, early detection, and timely diagnosis of cognitive

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impairment and dementia;

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     (2) Validated assessment tools for the detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment;

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     (3) The value of validated cognitive assessment tools during Medicare annual wellness

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visits; and

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     (4) Medicare care planning billing codes for individuals with cognitive impairment,

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provision of effective care planning, and available treatments.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

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     This act would require the department of health to incorporate information about dementia

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risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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