Initiative

Initiative. (a) Subject to appropriation for this purpose, the Director shall establish an arthritis quality of life initiative in the Department. The purpose of the initiative is to promote (i) public awareness about arthritis, (ii) options for prevention, (iii) the value of early diagnosis and treatment, and (iv) the delivery of programs and services aimed at prevention of complications and improvement of quality of life. The Department may accept, for the purpose of establishing the initiative, any special grant of money, services, or property from the federal government or any of its agencies or from the private sector, in addition to moneys provided by the State. (b) The initiative shall include the following: (1) Development of a list of providers of specialized services for arthritis, including a cautionary statement about the current status of arthritis research, prevention, and treatment. (2) A public information and outreach campaign including appropriate educational material to promote early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. (Source: P.A. 91-750, eff. 1-1-01.)