By Mr. Koutoujian of Waltham, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1149) of Peter J. Koutoujian and others relative to the establishment of a commission for the elimination of health disparities within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.  Health Care Financing.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Peter J. Koutoujian

Barbara A. L'Italien

James B. Eldridge

James E. Timilty

Byron Rushing

Kay Khan

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to the commission for the elimination of health disparities.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. There shall be a commission for the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities, to be known as the Massachusetts commission for the elimination of health disparities, within the executive office of health and human services.  The commission shall be in the charge of a commissioner who shall be known as the commissioner for the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. 

The commissioner for the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities shall be appointed by the secretary of health and human services, with the approval of the governor for a term of five years and until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. The position of commissioner shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty and he shall devote his entire time to the duties of his office during business hours.

The commissioner for the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities shall monitor and assess programs and regulations promulgated by the agencies and departments within the executive office of health and human services to determine whether such programs and regulations foster the elimination of health disparities.  The commissioner shall, on an annual basis, file a report with the secretary, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the clerk of the house of representatives and the clerk of the senate, concerning the progress of the effort to eliminate health disparities in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and any significant opportunities and impediments towards achieving that end.  The commissioner may also at his discretion provide testimony before the General Court on legislation that will impact efforts to eliminate health disparities, as well as, hold public hearings and solicit input from experts, advocates and the general public on subject matter relevant to the elimination of health disparities.