HR0064 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0064 LRB102 15464 MST 20827 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, which should only be located inside the uterus, is found elsewhere in the body; and

WHEREAS, It is generally acknowledged that an estimated 10% of all women during their reproductive years are affected by endometriosis; this equates to 176 million women throughout the world who have to deal with the symptoms of endometriosis during the prime years of their lives, seven to ten million of whom are in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Many women suffer for seven to ten years before being properly diagnosed and treated for the disease; 30 to 40% of women with endometriosis are infertile; and

WHEREAS, Endometriosis costs the U.S. over $87 billion a year in medical costs and work productivity; and

WHEREAS, Federal research dollars for endometriosis amount to approximately 82 cents per patient every year; there is no cure, but treatment can reduce the intensity of the symptoms; and

WHEREAS, Every 16 seconds a baby girl is born in the U.S. who will have endometriosis; and

WHEREAS, Endometriosis causes patients enormous pain, but many are ineligible for disability benefits despite how much it can disrupt their working life; there is a history of providing poor treatment for this condition, as many minimize the seriousness of this problem; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the citizens of Illinois to increase their understanding of endometriosis, and we urge the General Assembly to pursue legislation to provide more comprehensive coverage for this frequently misdiagnosed debilitating condition.