HR0126 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0126 LRB095 11188 RAS 31579 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States; COPD is the only one of the top five causes of death that is rising in prevalence and has an increasing death rate; and

WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic progressive disease that impacts over 5,266,000 Illinois residents and 24,000,000 Americans; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, the annual cost to the nation as it relates to COPD was estimated to be $37 billion; $2,330 per month per COPD patient; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and management of COPD can effectively reduce the overall financial burden of the illness within public programs such as Medicaid; and

WHEREAS, Proper management of COPD can lead to improved quality of life and self-sufficiency on the part of COPD patients cared for within public programs; and

WHEREAS, Disease management has proven to reduce the overall cost of care and to increase the quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, especially when such management is targeted to appropriate conditions and patients; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby support and encourage the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in its endeavors regarding disease management and in its inclusion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Department's chronic care improvement program in an effort to reduce the financial and clinical burden of COPD on the Medicaid program and the citizens of Illinois.