A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO require the department of health and human services to coordinate chronic disease care.
Whereas, chronic disease is recognized as the leading cause of disability and death in the United States, and accounts for 1,700,000 deaths or 70% of all deaths in the United States each year; and
Whereas, chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and obesity are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems in North Carolina; and
Whereas, implementing prevention programs around multiple chronic conditions could help North Carolina reduce the overall financial burden of chronic illness within public programs such as Medicaid and Health Choice for Children and within the State Employees Health Insurance Plan; and
Whereas, the inefficient coordination of care for persons with chronic health conditions has led not only to higher costs but to poorer health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations within North Carolina; and
Whereas, preventing and treating chronic disease is an important public health initiative that will improve the quality of life for North Carolinians affected by these conditions and also reduce State costs for Medicaid, Health Choice, and the State Health Plan; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  This act shall be known as The Chronic Care Coordination Act.
SECTION 2.  Article 7 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 4A. Chronic Care Coordination.
"§ 130A‑222.5.  Department to coordinate chronic care initiatives.
The Department's Divisions of Public Health and Medical Assistance and the Division in the Department of State Treasurer responsible for the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees shall collaborate to reduce the incidence of chronic disease and improve chronic care coordination within the State by doing all of the following:
(1)	Identifying goals and benchmarks for the reduction of chronic disease.
(2)	Developing wellness and prevention plans specifically tailored to each of the Divisions.
(3)	Submitting an annual report on or before January 1 of each odd‑numbered year to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division that includes at least all of the following:
a.	The financial impact and magnitude of the chronic health conditions in this State that are most likely to cause death and disability, including, but not limited to, chronic cardiovascular disease, oncology, stroke, chronic lung disease, and chronic metabolic disease. As used in this subdivision, the term "chronic cardiovascular disease" includes heart disease and hypertension; the term "chronic metabolic disease" includes diabetes and obesity; and the term "chronic lung disease" means asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
b.	An assessment of the benefits derived from wellness and prevention programs and activities implemented within the State with the goal of coordinating chronic care. This assessment shall include a breakdown of the amount of all State, federal, and other funds appropriated to the Department for wellness and prevention programs and activities for the detection, prevention, and treatment of persons with multiple chronic health conditions, at least one of which is a condition identified in sub‑subdivision a. of this subdivision.
c.	A description of the level of coordination among the Divisions of Public Health and Medical Assistance and the Division in the Department of State Treasurer responsible for the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees with respect to activities, programs, and public education on the prevention, treatment, and management of the chronic health conditions identified in sub‑subdivision a. of this subdivision.
d.	Detailed action plans for care coordination of multiple chronic health conditions in the same patient, including a range of recommended legislative actions. The action plans shall identify proposed action steps to reduce the financial impact of the chronic health conditions identified in sub‑subdivision a. of this subdivision, including (i) adjustment of hospital readmission rates, (ii) development of transitional care plans, (iii) implementation of comprehensive medication management, as described by the Patient‑Centered Primary Care Collaborative, to help patients achieve improved clinical and therapeutic outcomes, and (iv) adoption of standards related to quality that are publicly reported evidence‑based measures endorsed through a multistakeholder process such as the National Quality Forum. The action plans shall also identify expected outcomes of these proposed action steps during the succeeding fiscal biennium and establish benchmarks for coordinating care and reducing the incidence of multiple chronic health conditions.
e.	A detailed budget identifying all costs associated with implementing the action plans identified in sub‑subdivision d. of this subdivision."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.