BILL NUMBER: SCR 88	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  49
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 11, 2012
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 7, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 29, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Alquist
   (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Beall)

                        APRIL 30, 2012

   Relative to Arthritis Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 88, Alquist. Arthritis Awareness Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of May 2012 as Arthritis
Awareness Month.



   WHEREAS, Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and
conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints, and
other connective tissue; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement, and can limit
everyday activities such as walking and dressing; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis affects an estimated 50 million adults living
with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia, representing approximately 1 in 5
adults in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 294,000 children under 18 years of age have
some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition, representing
approximately 1 in every 250 children in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis is a chronic health problem and the nation's
leading cause of physical disability among Americans over 15 years of
age; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy more than $128
billion each year in lost wages and health care costs; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis results in 992,100 hospitalizations and 44
million outpatient visits each year; and
   WHEREAS, In California there are 5.1 million people living with
arthritis, including 38,000 children; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 67 million adults 18 years of age and older,
representing 25 percent of the population of the United States, 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 2012 as
Arthritis Awareness Month and appreciates the efforts of the
California Arthritis Foundation Council 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.