Hawaii-2011-SR61-Introduced

WHEREAS, lupus is an urgent national health issue; and

WHEREAS, lupus results from an unbalanced immune system and can become destructive to any organ in the body; and

WHEREAS, lupus is unpredictable and potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment exists; and

WHEREAS, its health consequences include disfiguring rashes, scarring, disabling arthritis, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and organ failure; and

WHEREAS, misdiagnosis of lupus commonly occurs, resulting in needless suffering, denial of health or life insurance, and higher premiums for health insurance; and

WHEREAS, national data indicate that more than 1,500,000 Americans suffer from lupus and, according to Lupus Hawaii, over 10,000 people in Hawaii are affected by lupus; and

WHEREAS, although recommendations have been made, no new drugs to specifically to treat lupus have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the last fifty years; and

WHEREAS, while current treatments for the disease may be effective, they have side effects that often prove worse than the disease itself; and

WHEREAS, annually, lupus treatment costs the nation in excess of $31,400,000,000; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Health is requested to create the Lupus Awareness Task Force to promote public and health professional education and awareness of lupus among public health and human services officials, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers and increase knowledge concerning the causes and consequences of lupus, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, and effective treatment and management strategies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lupus Awareness Task Force develop a comprehensive plan to improve lupus education and awareness in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the comprehensive plan focus on minority populations and at-risk communities to raise public awareness, educate consumers, and educate and train health professionals, human service providers, and other audiences; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lupus Awareness Task Force consider at minimum the following activities in the comprehensive plan:

(1) Distributing medically-sound health information produced by national organizations and government agencies that deal with lupus, such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arthritis Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology, the Lupus Foundation, and the Social Security Administration, through county health departments, physicians and other health professionals, hospitals, health insurers and health maintenance organizations, women's health programs, and nonprofit and community-based organizations;

(2) Developing educational materials for health professionals that identify the latest scientific and medical information and clinical applications;

(3) Increasing knowledge among physicians, nurses, and health and human services professionals about the importance of lupus diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation;

(4) Supporting continuing medical education programs in the State by providing up-to-date information about lupus and lupus research;

(5) Providing the latest information on clinical advances through statewide workshops and seminars to promote in-depth professional development among health care providers regarding the care and management of lupus patients; and

(6) Developing, maintaining, and disseminating a directory of lupus-related services and lupus health care specialist providers who diagnose and treat lupus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lupus Awareness Task Force be composed of seven members to be designated by the Director of Health and that the members have lupus-related experience and include representatives from relevant state agencies; scientists with experience in lupus research; health and medical professionals with experience treating lupus patients; representatives from non-profit women's and health organizations, including Lupus Hawaii; and individuals with lupus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Lupus Awareness Task Force designate a chair from among its members and serve without compensation but be reimbursed for travel expenses necessary to carry out their duties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to submit the Lupus Awareness Task Force's comprehensive plan to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Lupus Awareness Task Force; Department of Health

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	61
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII