BILL NUMBER: SCR 46	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bates

                        APRIL 23, 2015

   Relative to Arthritis Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 46, as introduced, Bates. Arthritis Awareness Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of May 2015 as Arthritis
Awareness Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and
conditions that affect joints, tissues that surround joints, and
other connective tissue; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis is a chronic health problem that is the nation'
s leading cause of physical disability among Americans and is most
common among people with multiple chronic conditions; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement, can limit
everyday activities such as walking and dressing, and can even lead
to death; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis affects an estimated 52.5 million American
adults living with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis,
representing 22.7 percent of adults in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 children under 18 years of age have
a form of arthritis or rheumatic condition, representing
approximately 1 in every 250 children in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy more than $128
billion each year, $81 billion in direct medical care costs and $47
billion in indirect costs; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis results in 992,100 hospitalizations and 44
million outpatient visits each year; and
   WHEREAS, In California there are more than 5.9 million people
living with arthritis, including 38,000 children; and
   WHEREAS, In California, 43 percent of adults with diabetes also
have arthritis, 52 percent of adults with cardiovascular disease also
have arthritis, and 38 percent of adults with high blood pressure
also have arthritis; and
   WHEREAS, Among working age adults with arthritis in California, 43
percent have some work limitations due to their arthritis; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 67 million adults 18 years of age and older
will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature understands the extent of,
and sympathizes with, the severity of the impact of arthritis on
California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the month of May 2015 as
Arthritis Awareness Month and appreciates the efforts of the
Arthritis Foundation to seek access to care for all Californians; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.