BILL NUMBER: ACR 112	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Soto

                        MARCH 3, 2008

   Relative to a Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 112, as introduced, Soto. Legislative Task Force on
Fibromyalgia.
   This measure would establish a Legislative Task Force on
Fibromyalgia, consisting of specified members, to establish a public
information and outreach campaign, work with other state and local
agencies to promote fibromyalgia education and training programs for
physicians and other health professionals, collaborate with a broad
group of stakeholders, review current state policies and practices
concerning treatment of fibromyalgia, develop a State Fibromyalgia
Strategic Plan to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by
September 1, 2009, and hold a Fibromyalgia Summit during the 2009-10
Regular Session of the Legislature .
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a significant health problem that affects
an estimated 6 to 8 percent of Americans and countless thousands of
Californians; and
   WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disease that fully
disables thousands of Californians with symptoms that are chronic and
include pain, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, migraine headaches,
and impairment of memory and concentration; and
   WHEREAS, Many fibromyalgia patients suffer for an average of five
years before obtaining a correct diagnosis, which results in a
worsened condition that is more debilitating and more difficult and
expensive to treat; and
   WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is costly to California in both economic and
social terms. With respect to the economic cost, an estimated $1
billion in medical expenses, lost wages, and other associated
economic costs can be attributed to fibromyalgia. With respect to the
social cost, fibromyalgia impacts many families and children, as
demonstrated by the fact that 80 percent of fibromyalgia patients are
women; and
   WHEREAS, Evidence indicates that the incidence of fibromyalgia may
be increasing at a rapid rate; and
   WHEREAS, A legislative task force on fibromyalgia is necessary to
do all of the following:
   (a) Promote public awareness of fibromyalgia, which is a
widespread, but poorly understood, disease.
   (b) Promote understanding of the importance of early diagnosis and
proper treatment and management of fibromyalgia.
   (c) Promote the delivery of appropriate information, programs, and
services regarding fibromyalgia.
   (d) Encourage research into the nature, cause, and treatment of
fibromyalgia; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia
is hereby established, which shall consist of 15 members, as follows:

   (a) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint to the task force
one Member of the Assembly from the majority caucus and one Member of
the Assembly from the minority caucus.
   (b) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint to the task force
one Member of the Senate from the majority caucus and one Member of
the Senate from the minority caucus.
   (c) The National Fibromyalgia Association shall appoint 11 members
to the task force, including some members who have demonstrated
knowledge and an expertise in any of the following:
   (1) Fibromyalgia research.
   (2) Fibromyalgia prevention.
   (3) Fibromyalgia educational programs.
   (4) Fibromyalgia consumer needs; and be it further
   Resolved, That the National Fibromyalgia Association shall convene
the first meeting of the task force to elect officers; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the National Fibromyalgia Association shall supply
supporting staff to the task force; and be it further
   Resolved, That members of the task force shall not receive any
compensation for serving on the task force; and be it further
   Resolved, That the task force shall perform various functions
regarding fibromyalgia, including, but not limited to, the following:

   (a) Establishing a public information and outreach campaign
targeting women between 20 and 50 years of age, that includes
appropriate educational material aimed at promoting early diagnosis
and treatment, preventing complications, improving quality of life at
home and in the workplace, and addressing mental health and
disability issues of fibromyalgia patients.
   (b) Working with other state and local agencies to promote
fibromyalgia education and training programs for physicians and other
health professionals.
   (c) Collaborating with a broad group of stakeholders, reviewing
current state policies and practices concerning treatment of
fibromyalgia, and developing a State Fibromyalgia Strategic Plan for
2010 to 2020, inclusive. The plan shall be submitted to the Governor
and the Legislature by September 1, 2009.
   (d) Holding a Fibromyalgia Summit during the 2009-10 Regular
Session of the Legislature to make public the findings and progress
of the Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia; and be it further
   Resolved, That the task force is authorized to use existing
resources to support its activities, but should be allowed to solicit
funding from public and private foundations, and make use of
available federal funds; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.