BILL NUMBER: SCR 31 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Hernandez APRIL 2, 2013 Relative to California Osteopathic Medicine Week. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 31, as introduced, Hernandez. California Osteopathic Medicine Week. This measure would annually, commencing April 2013, proclaim the 3rd week of April as California Osteopathic Medicine Week. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, There are 80,000 osteopathic physicians currently practicing medicine in the United States; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians make up one-fifth of all practicing physicians in the United States; and WHEREAS, There are 4,500 osteopathic physicians currently residing and practicing medicine in the State of California; and WHEREAS, California is home to two fully accredited osteopathic medical schools; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians have provided quality health care and health education outreach to all of California's residents since the founding of the Osteopathic Medical Board of California in 1922; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to provide the best and highest quality health care to all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic standing; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to treat the whole person through the practice of medicine and hands-on manipulation; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to bring a humanistic world view of treatment and care to patients and individuals in need; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice in all areas and specialties and may prescribe medication and perform surgery; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians have played an influential role in shaping health care policies that have affected the health and well-being of all citizens of the State of California; and WHEREAS, National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week is celebrated during the third week of April annually. NOM Week brings the osteopathic medical profession together to focus on the common goal of increasing awareness of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic physicians in communities across the country; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That annually, commencing April 2013, the third week of April be hereby proclaimed as California Osteopathic Medicine Week; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all citizens and community organizations to support the observance of California Osteopathic Medicine Week by helping to educate residents about osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medicine; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.