WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2023 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced Senate Bill 526
By Senators Takubo, Tarr, Woelfel, Deeds, Rucker,
Grady, and Nelson [Introduced January 31, 2023; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]
 Intr SB 526 2023R3259
1 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article,
2 designated §16-66-1, relating to including the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's
3 and other dementias in existing public health programs and services.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 66. INCLUDING THE EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF
ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS IN EXISTING PUBLIC HEALTH
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
§16-65-1. Inclusion of Alzheimer's in existing public health programs.
1 (a) The Bureau of Public Health, in partnership with the Bureau of Medical Services and
2 the Alzheimer's Association, shall, in its existing public health programs and services, educate
3 health care professionals on the importance of early detection and timely diagnosis of cognitive
4 impairment and dementia, use of validated cognitive assessment tools in the delivery of the
5 Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, provision of effective care planning and care management at all
6 stages of dementia, and delivery of counseling and referral.
7 (b) The Bureau of Public Health, in partnership with the Bureau of Senior Services, shall, in
8 its existing, relevant public health outreach programs, incorporate information to increase
9 understanding and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including information
10 about the early signs of Alzheimer's and other dementias that should be discussed with health
11 care professionals and the value of early detection and diagnosis, particularly among persons in
12 diverse communities who are at greater risk of developing dementia.
13 (c) Any public awareness and/or educational outreach programs shall provide uniform,
14 consistent guidance in nonclinical terms, with an emphasis on cultural relevancy and health
15 literacy.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to include Alzheimer's disease in existing public health programs.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
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Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 16-66-1
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 16-1-8
Introduced Version: 16-66-1