Bill Text: WV SR52 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing May 4, 2015, National FPIES Awareness Day
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-10 - Completed legislative action [SR52 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2015-SR52-Introduced.html
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 52
(By Senators D. Hall, Miller, Plymale, Stollings and Yost)
Recognizing May 4, 2015, as National FPIES Awareness Day.
Whereas, Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome, also known as FPIES, is a clinically documented medical condition known to occur in infants and young children, with potentially life-threatening consequences if not properly diagnosed and managed; and
Whereas, FPIES has been diagnosed in a small, but statistically significant, portion of infants and, because this condition is frequently misdiagnosed, it is likely to occur in greater numbers than currently known; and
Whereas, FPIES and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders are easily misdiagnosed because they do not present the same symptoms as more commonly understood allergic reactions and there are, as yet, no diagnostic tests that are specific for FPIES and similar disorders; and
Whereas, FPIES is a disease that can only be managed, as there is no cure and no treatment for its symptoms; and
Whereas, The management of FPIES and the care of an afflicted patient often requires strict adherence to a diet of chemically modified formula in infants and specially manufactured, elemental foods for older children that may cost thousands of dollars per month; and
Whereas, Knowledge of the nature of FPIES and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders has been slow to spread and these disorders are little known outside a small community of specialists; and
Whereas, This lack of knowledge and understanding has adversely affected patients in emergency departments and urgent care centers and has resulted in inconsistent and long-delayed responses from many insurance providers; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes May 4, 2015, as National FPIES Awareness Day; and, be it
Further Resolved, That greater awareness of Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders be fostered through appropriate research, public hearings and public information initiatives; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate encourages our medical community, insurance industry, dietitians, nutritionists, educators and child care workers to learn the symptoms and characteristics of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders and to develop greater understanding of the accommodations needed to care for those with these disorders; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to appropriate representatives from National FPIES Awareness Day.
