Bill Text: MI HR0250 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare November 2013 as COPD Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-11-13 - Adopted [HR0250 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-HR0250-Enrolled.html
Reps. Kurtz, Brown, Darany, Denby, Durhal, Heise, Howrylak, Lamonte and Slavens offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 250.
A resolution to declare November 2013 as COPD Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe airflow obstruction that is associated mainly with emphysema and chronic bronchitis; and
Whereas, There is indication of COPD being underdiagnosed as an estimated 24 million people have evidence of impaired lung function. COPD kills more than 120,000 Americans every year. On average, one person dies from COPD every 4 minutes; and
Whereas, According to a 2011 National Center for Health Statistics report, COPD has become the third leading cause of death in the United States; and
Whereas, Pulmonary experts predict that by the year 2020, COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide; and
Whereas, COPD currently accounts for 1.5 million emergency room visits, 715,000 hospitalizations, and 8 million physician office and hospital outpatient visits. COPD costs the nation an estimated $49.9 billion in direct and indirect medical costs annually; and
Whereas, Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD as approximately 85 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking; and
Whereas, COPD affects almost 450,000 citizens of Michigan and in 2010 it was the third leading cause of death in the state; and
Whereas, Research has identified a hereditary protein deficiency called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. People with this deficiency tend to develop COPD even without exposure to smoking or environmental triggers; and
Whereas, While there is currently no cure for COPD, spirometry testing and medical treatments exist to address symptom relief and possibly slow the progression of the disease; and
Whereas, Coordinated community efforts, such as the Michigan COPD Coalition, a public-private partnership of individuals and organizations that created the Michigan COPD Action Plan, can result in dramatic improvements to public health and reduced healthcare costs; and
Whereas, Until there is a cure, the best approach to prevent COPD and its considerable health, societal, and mortality impacts lie with education, awareness, and expanded delivery of detection and management protocols; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body declare November 2013 as COPD Awareness Month in the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body recognize the founding of the Michigan COPD Coalition; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Department of Community Health, and the Michigan COPD Coalition.
