BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                      



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                   SCR 91|
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SCR 91
          Author:   Runner (R), et al.
          Amended:  As introduced
          Vote:     21

           
           SUBJECT  :    Scleroderma Awareness Month

           SOURCE  :     Scleroderma Foundation


           DIGEST  :    This resolution proclaims June 2012 as 
          Scleroderma Awareness Month.

           ANALYSIS  :    This resolution makes the following 
          legislative findings:

            1.  Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune 
              disease in which the body's soft tissues contract and 
              harden from an overproduction of collagen.

            2.  Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body 
              including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels.

            3.  Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the 
              heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract.

            4.  Scleroderma is associated with many other conditions 
              including pulmonary hypertension, gastroparesis, 
              Raynaud's phenomenon, Sj�gren's syndrome, and lupus.

            5.  Choctaw Native Americans, African Americans, and 
              Hispanics are disproportionately affected by 
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              scleroderma.

            6.  Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or 
              causes of scleroderma.

            7.  An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from 
              scleroderma, and 80 percent of those are women.

            8.  The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma 
              treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion 
              annually.

            9.  There is a significant need for further research 
              focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase 
              understanding of the causes of the disease and its 
              treatment.

            10. The United States Congress has recognized the need to 
              raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public 
              health and has designated June as National Scleroderma 
              Awareness Month.

            11. California should also designate a month as 
              Scleroderma Awareness Month to help educate the public 
              about autoimmune diseases and the need for increased 
              research, funding, and effective treatments for those 
              diseases.

            12. The designation of such a month would recognize the 
              efforts of health care providers, patients, and 
              scleroderma advocacy organizations to raise awareness 
              of scleroderma and of the need for increased research 
              on scleroderma.

            13. June 2012 would be an appropriate month to designate 
              as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

          This resolution proclaims June 2012 as Scleroderma 
          Awareness Month.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  6/7/10)








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          Scleroderma Foundation (source) 

          CTW:nl  6/7/12   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

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