Bill Text: MI HR0372 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Governor, state agencies, medical service providers, health care agencies, and all interested parties to work toward establishing clinical care and research centers for chronic neuroendocrine immune diseases and to urge health-related educational institutions to increase education about these diseases.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-05-15 - Referred To Committee On Health Policy [HR0372 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-HR0372-Introduced.html
Rep. Hooker offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 372.
A resolution to urge the Governor, state agencies, medical service providers, health care agencies, and all interested parties to work toward establishing clinical care and research centers for chronic neuroendocrine immune diseases and to urge health-related educational institutions to increase education about these diseases.
Whereas, Neuroendocrine-immune diseases (NEIDs), also known as multi-systemic diseases, include myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Gulf War illnesses (GWIs), and chemical sensitivity/environmental illness. These diseases have a similarity of symptoms that imply a common pathophysiology. As a result, discoveries and advances made in the etiology and treatment of one of these illnesses will be applicable and beneficial to the other NEIDs; and
Whereas, NEIDs affect an estimated 20 million Americans. Lyme disease, the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States, occurs most often in boys ages 5-9. If treatment is delayed, Lyme disease can develop into a chronic disease that requires expert, knowledgeable medical care. GWI is a serious condition that affects at least one fourth of the 697,000 U.S. veterans who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Some of these veterans have been suffering for more than two decades. In Michigan, it is estimated that 1 of every 240 persons, or 41,400, have ME/CF, and 1 of every 50 persons, or 198,000, have fibromyalgia; and
Whereas, Many persons suffering from a NEID are initially misdiagnosed causing serious treatment delays. A 2012 survey showed that 70 percent of NEID patients see four or more physicians before receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. In Michigan, 28 percent of NEID patients suffered for seven years or more before receiving an accurate diagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the one to four million Americans who have CFS, less than 20 percent have been diagnosed. The longer a person is ill with a NEID before treatment begins, the more complicated the course of the disease and the worse the prognosis, adding to the financial burden on government, healthcare institutions, and society; and
Whereas, Increasing physician education about NEIDs will reduce the number of doctors patients must visit as they seek an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments. A recent survey showed that 55 percent of persons with a NEID are not satisfied with their medical care and do not believe their physician is knowledgeable about their disease; 21 percent drive over an hour or travel by plane to access knowledgeable healthcare; and
Whereas, Establishing Michigan-based NEID medical centers with professionals who specialize in these diseases will reduce the burden on NEID patients and increase their ability to receive life-altering treatment in a timely fashion. Furthermore, patients will likely travel to Michigan from other states to receive NEID treatments; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Governor, state agencies, medical service providers, health care agencies, and all interested parties to work toward establishing clinical care and research centers for chronic neuroendocrine immune diseases, and we urge health-related educational institutions to increase education about these diseases to future medical professionals; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor of Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the Michigan Health Council, and the Michigan State Medical Society.
