BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SCR 39
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   July 7, 2011

                             ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
                                Nancy Skinner, Chair
                   SCR 39 (Runner) - As Introduced:  April 14, 2011

           SENATE VOTE :   38-0
           
          SUBJECT  :   Scleroderma Awareness Month

           SUMMARY  :   Declares June 2011 as Scleroderma Awareness Month; 
          and recognizes the efforts of health care providers, patients, 
          and scleroderma advocacy organizations to increase awareness and 
          need for research on scleroderma.  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 often experience 
            damage to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and 
            the gastrointestinal system.

          2)An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma; 80% of 
            those being women; and the total economic impact of treating 
            the disease are in excess of $1.5 billion annually, with the 
            associated morbidity cost estimated at $819,000,000 annually.

          3)Research has linked scleroderma with rheumatic disease; 
            although further research focusing on the epidemiology of 
            scleroderma is needed to increase the understanding of the 
            cause 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 
           
          None on file








                                                                  SCR 39
                                                                  Page  2

           
            Opposition 
           
          None on file


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800