Section 16Z. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office of health and human services shall establish a pulmonary hypertension task force. The task force shall consist of: the secretary of the executive office of health and human services or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of public health or a designee; the commissioner of insurance or a designee; the director of Medicaid or a designee; and 7 persons to be appointed by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, 2 of whom shall be representatives from the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance, Inc. appointed in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative from commercial health insurance plans or managed care organizations doing business in the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be an individual with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a pharmaceutical company that manufactures a drug or device for detecting, preventing or treating pulmonary hypertension and 1 of whom shall be a representative of a research, advocacy or support organization primarily serving individuals with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.

(b) The task force shall: (i) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension; (ii) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension; (iii) monitor pulmonary hypertension research, services and support activities across the commonwealth, including coordination of the commonwealth's activities and programs with respect to pulmonary hypertension; (iv) develop and annually update a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, including recommendations to: (1) advance research or pulmonary hypertension; (2) improve the transplantation criteria and process concerning lung and heart-lung transplants for individuals with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension; (3) improve public awareness and recognition of pulmonary hypertension; (4) improve health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension; (5) improve the early and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension; and (6) systematically advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on pulmonary hypertension; and (v) develop and annually update the progress made in implementing such comprehensive strategic plan.

(c) The task force shall submit its recommendations to the governor and the clerks of the house of representatives and senate annually not later than December 31.