EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-60

Multiple-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Task Force

WHEREAS: tuberculosis is a contagious disease which poses a serious health threat in both civilian and penal populations;

WHEREAS: the treatment of tuberculosis is complicated and lengthy, and patients require constant monitoring;

WHEREAS: inadequate treatment by physicians, noncompliance with prescribed treatment by patients, and inappropriate management of tuberculosis leads to drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis, which spread through the air to noninfected citizens;

WHEREAS: it is essential that steps be taken to protect the public by containing the spread of tuberculosis and preventing the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis; and

WHEREAS: the Governor's Task Force on Multiple-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, created by Executive Order Number EWE 92-64, made significant advances toward the control of tuberculosis in this state, nonetheless, more advancements must still me made;

NOW THEREFORE I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Governor's Task Force on Tuberculosis (hereafter "Task Force") shall be created within the Executive Department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The duties and functions of the Task Force shall include, but are not limited to, continuing the efforts of the former Task Force on Multiple-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis; identifying and examining all issues necessary to combat the disease of tuberculosis in Louisiana; recommending viable solutions to the problems raised by those issues; evaluating existing measures and proposed measures which are designed to combat all forms of tuberculosis in Louisiana; and any other duties and functions designated by the Governor.

SECTION 3: The Task Force shall consist of 30 members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Membership of the Task Force shall be selected as follows:

  • A. the President of the Louisiana Senate, or the President's designee;

  • B. the Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, or the Speaker's designee;

  • C. the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, or the Secretary's designee;

  • D. the Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, or the Assistant Secretary's designee;

  • E. the Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Mental Health, or the Assistant Secretary's designee;

  • F. the Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, or the Assistant Secretary's designee;

  • G. the Medical Director of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, Tuberculosis Control Program, or the Medical Director's designee;

  • H. the Administrative Director of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, HIV Program Office, or the Administrative Director's designee;

  • I. the Administrator of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, Tuberculosis Control Program, or the Administrator's designee;

  • J. the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or the Secretary's designee;

  • K. the Chief Judge of the Twentieth Judicial District Court, Parishes of East and West Feliciana, or the Chief Judge's designee,

  • L. the Dean of the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, or the Dean's designee;

  • M. the Dean of the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, or the Dean's designee;

  • N. the Chief of the Laboratory Research Branch, J. W. Long Hansen's Disease Center at L.S.U., Baton Rouge, or the Chief's designee;

  • O. the Director of the City of New Orleans Department of Health, or the Director's designee;

  • P. the Chief Executive Officer of the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee;

  • Q. the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Louisiana Chapter, or the President's designee;

  • R. the Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Louisiana, or the Executive Director's designee;

  • S. the Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, or the Executive Director's designee;

  • T. the President of the Louisiana Family Physicians Association, or the President's designee;

  • U. the Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Health Care Authority, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee;

  • V. the President of the Louisiana Hospital Association, or the President's designee;

  • W. the President of the Louisiana Medical Association, or the President's designee;

  • X. the Executive Director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, or the Executive Director's designee;

  • Y. the Executive Director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, or the Executive Director's designee;

  • Z. the President of the Louisiana State Medical Society, or the President's designee;

  • AA. the Executive Director of the Louisiana State Nurses Association, or the Executive Director's designee;

  • BB. the Dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine, or the Dean's designee;

  • CC. one member nominated by organizations providing care to homeless individuals; and

  • DD. one member at-large.

    • SECTION 3: the State Health Officer shall serve as the Chair of the Task Force. The Governor shall appoint two Vice-Chairs for the Task Force from its membership.

    SECTION 4: The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations annually, by January 5 of each year, to the Governor through the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.

    SECTION 5: The members of the Task Force shall not receive compensation for their services or a per diem. However, the actual travel expenses of Task Force members may be reimbursed, contingent upon the availability of funds, in accordance with state guidelines and procedures, upon the approval of the Commissioner of Administration.

    SECTION 6: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Task Force in implementing the provisions of this Order.

    SECTION 7: This Order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the Governor, or terminated by operation of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 17th day of October, 1996.

    M.J. "Mike" Foster
    Governor

    ATTEST BY
    THE GOVERNOR
    Fox McKeithen
    Secretary of State