Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 275 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 275

ASTHMA PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM

§1700.__Asthma prevention and control program

1. Program established.__The Bureau of Health shall establish an asthma prevention and control program to provide leadership for and coordination of asthma prevention and intervention activities. The program may include, but is not limited to, the following:

A. Monitoring of asthma prevalence at the state and community levels;

B. Education and training of health professionals on the current methods of diagnosing and treating asthma;

C. Patient and family education on how to manage the disease;

D. Dissemination of information on programs shown to reduce hospitalization, emergency room visits and absenteeism due to asthma; and

E. Consultation to and support of community-based asthma prevention and control programs.

2. Consultation.__In implementing the program established in subsection 1, the Bureau of Health shall consult with the Medicaid program administered by the department and the Department of Education.__In addition, the bureau shall seek advice from other organizations and private entities concerned with the treatment and prevention of asthma.

3.__Funding. The Bureau of Health may accept federal funds and grants for implementing the program established in subsection 1 and may contract for work with outside vendors or individuals.

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Bureau of Health