2015-K1306
Sponsored By
GUNTHER
text
2015-K1306
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 8-15, 2016, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, and an
estimated 3-6 percent of the world's population, have been diagnosed
with Fibromyalgia (FM), an illness for which there is yet no known cause
or cure; and
WHEREAS, A chronic syndrome that is increasing at alarming rates,
Fibromyalgia causes debilitating widespread pain and fatigue, appears to
have a genetic component, and occurs in women, men, and children of all
ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, Patients with Fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with
widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disor-
ders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and tingling,
and impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagno-
sis of Fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inade-
quately educated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia;
and
WHEREAS, A 2007 study found that FM patients spend between $100-$1,000
per month above insurance costs to see healthcare providers; costs in
the United States are estimated between $12-14 billion per year and
account for loss of 1-2% of the nation's productivity; and
WHEREAS, According to a survey of 1,168 FM patients, 25% had received
disability payments, and total healthcare costs may be 2-3 times higher
than patients without FM; failure to diagnose and adequately treat
Fibromyalgia has deep financial implications for patients and for the
healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, According to a fact sheet provided by the National Fibromyal-
gia Association, 90% of physicians agree there is a need for more physi-
cian oriented information, and 82% of physicians agree that FM is diffi-
cult to treat with the tools that are currently available; use of
complementary and alternative medicine is 2 1/2 times higher in FM
patients; and
WHEREAS, Patients report that the optimal approach to treating Fibro-
myalgia is a team of physicians and complementary therapists tailoring
the treatment for each individual patient; this can be accomplished best
in an arrangement that facilitates communication between the patient and
the team; and
WHEREAS, Awareness events need to be expanded that will continue to
promote understanding and support within the broader community; and
WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc., a
nonprofit charitable organization in the Capital District of New York,
is dedicated to empowering all who face discrimination as a result of
race, gender, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, and lifestyle
choices; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients are often misunderstood by the medical,
business, and education communities, primarily due to the lack of educa-
tion in medical schools about what is known regarding this potentially
disabling illness; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients often lose jobs, insurance, homes, and
spouses or significant others due to lack of awareness and understanding
about the potentially devastating impact of Fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, under the
leadership of Sue Shipe, PhD, developed the Fibromyalgia Task Force to
address inequities in the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia
patients due to lack of adequate education of physicians regarding this
illness; and
WHEREAS, The Fibromyalgia Task Force, comprised of Physician Advisors,
medical researchers, educators, business, community leaders, attorneys,
complementary therapists, students, and patients will address these
inequities by: disseminating the Seminar Report-Fibromyalgia: Awareness,
Advocacy and Action; introducing a Legislative Bill that requires physi-
cian continuing education in Fibromyalgia in New York State; and intro-
ducing a Legislative Bill to develop a funded Fibromyalgia Center in the
Capital District of New York State to provide education and accessible,
complementary medical treatments not currently covered by insurance; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the challenging work of the
Fibromyalgia Task Force, and commends each person who participates
toward improving the lives of Fibromyalgia patients; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on Fibromyalgia and its impact on
patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people
with Fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chron-
ically ill people who suffer from Fibromyalgia, and urges all of our
citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals
and families who deal with this devastating syndrome on a daily basis;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 8-15, 2016, as
Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; International Institute for Human Empowerment, Inc.; Center for
Rheumatology; Center for Natural Wellness; INTiDYN; and Buckley, Mendle-
son, Criscione, and Quinn, PC.
actions
-
09 / May / 2016
- REFERRED TO CALENDAR
-
10 / May / 2016
- ADOPTED
Resolution Details
- Law Section:
- Resolutions, Legislative
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