SJ0035 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0035 LRB095 11470 KBJ 32463 r

SENATE JOINT 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 and the only one of the top 5 causes of death whose prevalence and death rate are rising; and

WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic and progressive disease that impacts over 5,600,000 Illinoisans and 24 million Americans; and

WHEREAS, The annual cost to the nation for COPD in 2004 was estimated to be $37 billion dollars; 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 patients with COPD receiving treatment within public programs; and

WHEREAS, Disease management has been demonstrated to reduce overall costs of care and increase quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, especially when targeted to appropriate conditions and patients; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we hereby support and encourage the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in its efforts with regard to disease management and including COPD 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Director of Healthcare and Family Services.