BILL NUMBER: ACR 28	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ma
    (   Coauthor:   Assembly Member  
Fletcher   ) 

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2009

   Relative to Eating Disorders Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 28, as amended, Ma. Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
   This measure would recognize the  week  
weeks  of February 22 through February 28, 2009  , and
February 21 through February 27, 2010  , as Eating Disorders
Awareness Week and would encourage citizens and policymakers to learn
more about eating disorders and the obstacles to treatment, and to
help people overcome and prevent these life-threatening diseases.
This measure also would urge the State Department of Public Health to
undertake specified studies relating to eating disorders and make
necessary or appropriate  recommendation  
recommendations  for legislation.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Ten million women and one million men across the country
are battling illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia, and millions
more are suffering from binge eating disorder; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 3.6 million women in California alone
struggle with an eating disorder; and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are problems
that are misunderstood, stigmatized  , underfunded 
, and undertreated; and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia is the psychiatric disorder with the highest
mortality rate; and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia is linked to an 18-fold increase in the risk of
death, with up to 20 percent of sufferers dying of malnutrition and
suicide; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are associated with substantial
psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse, and
suicide; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders can lead to major medical complications,
including cardiac arrhythmia, cognitive impairment, certain cancers,
osteoporosis, infertility, kidney failure, and death; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders affect persons of every race, color,
gender, and socioeconomic category; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are increasing among younger age groups
and affect children as young as seven years of age; and
   WHEREAS, Media pressures and genetic, social, and familial factors
are all known to be related to eating disorders; and
   WHEREAS,  Many doctors feel pressured to  
Some physicians  prematurely discharge patients with anorexia
nervosa  , placing patients in life-threatening situations,
because many insurance companies disallow or limit reimbursements for
treating eating disorders; and 
    WHEREAS, Many insurance companies continue to make a
common practice of delaying care, which leads to more severe symptoms
at admission, and prematurely terminating treatment of eating
disorders, even though these factors are linked to high rates of
relapse; and   due to limited opportunities to obtain
reimbursement; and 
    WHEREAS, Coverage and reimbursement for eating disorders
differ among various private and public health care coverage options;
and 
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are treatable when diagnosed early and
treated sufficiently; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders have become a  significant 
public health  crisis   concern  that
should be treated  as seriously as the obesity epidemic
  no less seriously than obesity  ; and
   WHEREAS, The government should take a proactive role in developing
preventive education, improving access to care for all forms of
eating disorders, including binge eating and extreme 
dieting, and making treatment available for persons already suffering
with eating disorders; and   dieting; and 
   WHEREAS, The California Legislature is concerned with preserving
and protecting the health of the state's citizens; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the  week
  weeks  of February 22 through February 28, 2009
 , and February 21 through February 27, 2010  , as Eating
Disorders Awareness Week, and encourages citizens and policymakers to
learn more about eating disorders and the obstacles to treatment,
and to help people overcome and prevent these life-threatening
diseases; and be it further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health is urged to
undertake a study of the public health impact of eating disorders in
California, and the need for programs or policies to enhance
education, awareness, detection, and prevention of these diseases in
the general population; and be it further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health is urged to
undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems
mentioned in this resolution, or related thereto, and recommend any
necessary or appropriate legislation; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.