Bill Text: CA ACR62 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 62 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease awareness.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-09-01 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 91, Statutes of 2009. [ACR62 Detail]

Download: California-2009-ACR62-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: ACR 62	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  91
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 24, 2009
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 28, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Galgiani

                        APRIL 20, 2009

   Relative to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 62, Galgiani. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease awareness.

   This measure would commend the State Department of Health Care
Services for implementing and maintaining a chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) pilot program and would encourage the
department to prepare and submit a report and interim updates to the
Legislature regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program and to
partner with private entities to improve education regarding COPD.
   This measure would also designate November 2009 as Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month, and November 18, 2009,
as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Day in
California. This measure would also encourage public officials and
the citizens of California to increase awareness of the symptoms of,
and the methods of preventing, COPD.



   WHEREAS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), also known
as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of
death in the United States and is the only one of the top five causes
of death whose prevalence and death rate is rising; and
   WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic and progressive disease that impacts an
estimated 24 million Americans each year, approximately five million
of whom are residents of California, and an estimated 1.6 million of
whom suffer directly from the disease; and
   WHEREAS, In 2004, the national annual cost for COPD was estimated
to be $37 billion and in that same year, COPD caused approximately
121,000 deaths nationwide; and
   WHEREAS, Many patients suffering with COPD are not diagnosed until
they have reached an advanced stage of COPD, which often includes a
disabling degree of lung dysfunction; and
   WHEREAS, A diagnostic test for COPD, known as spirometry, is
available for office use, allowing early diagnosis of COPD; and
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and management of COPD can effectively
reduce the overall financial burden of this illness on publicly
funded health care programs, including Medi-Cal; and
   WHEREAS, Achieving early diagnosis and proper management of COPD
among California's diverse populations, within the Medi-Cal program
as well as other publicly funded health care programs, requires
overcoming cultural, language, and literacy challenges; and
   WHEREAS, Proper management of COPD can lead to an improved quality
of life and self-sufficiency for patients who receive publicly
funded benefits; and
   WHEREAS, The "Healthy People 2010" project of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health
concludes that, while primary care physicians are in a key position
to provide optimal care to patients with COPD and to provide
counseling during clinical or health center visits, primary care
physicians need to be trained in the latest methods for diagnosing
and treating the disease; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature commends the State
Department of Health Care Services for implementing and maintaining a
pilot program for chronic disease management of COPD in an effort to
identify and recommend means to reduce the financial and clinical
burden of COPD upon the Medi-Cal program and the citizens of
California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the State Department of
Health Care Services to provide interim updates on the COPD pilot
program, as appropriate, and to prepare and submit a report of its
respective findings and recommendations regarding the COPD pilot
program to the appropriate committees of the Assembly and Senate, so
that the Legislature may evaluate the effectiveness of the program in
reducing Medi-Cal costs and in providing improved health and
well-being for the affected patients; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the State Department of
Health Care Services to partner with private entities to improve
education regarding COPD; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature designates November 2009 as Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month, and November 18,
2009, as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Day in
California. The Legislature encourages public officials and the
citizens of California to increase awareness about the symptoms of,
and the methods of preventing, COPD; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.