BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 107
Author: Eng (D) and Cook (R), et al.
Amended: 4/26/12 in Assembly
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Read and adopted, 4/26/12
SUBJECT : PTSD Awareness Day
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution recognizes June 27, 2012 as
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
ANALYSIS : United States Senate Resolution 541 (2010)
designates June 27, 2010, as National Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder Awareness Day. U.S. Senate Resolution 541 urges
the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Secretary of Defense to continue working to educate service
members, veterans, the families of service members and
veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. It also
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate
transmit a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.
This resolution recognizes June 27, 2012 as Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
Background
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In 2005, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
noted a 30% increase in PTSD claims in recent years. It
also estimated that 830,000 Vietnam War veterans suffered
symptoms of PTSD. A 2011 study from Georgia State
University and San Diego State University found that rates
of PTSD diagnosis increased significantly when troops were
stationed in combat zones, had tours of longer than a year,
experienced combat, or were injured. Military personnel
serving in combat zones were 12.1 percentage points more
likely to receive a PTSD diagnosis than their active-duty
counterparts in non-combat zones. Those serving more than
12 months in a combat zone were 14.3 percentage points more
likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than those who served less
than one year. Experiencing an enemy firefight was
associated a 18.3 percentage point increase in the
probability of PTSD, while being wounded or injured in
combat was associated a 23.9 percentage point increase in
the likelihood of a PTSD diagnosis.
In California there is an estimated veteran population of
1,972,000, with more expected due to the drawdowns in Iraq
and Afghanistan. The United States currently recognizes
June 27th as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Awareness Day, and this resolution brings California, which
holds 8.7% of the nation's veterans, into alignment.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/21/12)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees
American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS-Department of California
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author:
1. The incidence of PTSD in members of the military is
rising because hundreds of thousands of soldiers are
exposed to traumatic life-threatening events.
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2. According to the National Institute for Mental Health,
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after
exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave
physical harm occurred or was threatened.
3. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs estimates
that as many as 95% of veterans returning from combat in
Iraq and Afghanistan have some form of PTSD.
4. Although the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the
symptoms of PTSD, many challenges remain.
5. This resolution is intended to educate the public about
the struggles faced by our service men and women
returning home.
CTW:mw 5/21/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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