BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  SCR 31
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   June 8, 2009

                             ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
                                 Ted W. Lieu, Chair
                   SCR 31 (Runner) - As Introduced:  April 14, 2009

           SENATE VOTE  :   38-0
           
          SUBJECT  :   Scleroderma Awareness Month.

           SUMMARY  :  Declares June 2009 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.   
          Specifically,  this resolution  makes the following legislative  
          findings:  

          1)Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease that  
            can affect many parts of the body including skin, internal  
            organs, and blood vessels; and, patients with scleroderma  
            often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the  
            gastrointestinal system.

          2)An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma; and,  
            the total economic impact of treating the disease is estimated  
            to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually.  

          3)Although researchers have found links between scleroderma and  
            rheumatic disease, the exact cause or causes of scleroderma  
            have yet to be identified; and there is significant need for  
            further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma  
            to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its  
            treatment.

          4)The designation of Scleroderma Awareness Month would recognize  
            the efforts of health care providers, patients, and  
            scleroderma advocacy organizations to increase awareness of  
            scleroderma and the need for increased research on this  
            disease.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  None

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association 
          Scleroderma Foundation








                                                                  SCR 31
                                                                  Page  2


           Opposition 
           
          None on file.

           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Anna McCabe / RLS. / (916) 319-2800