WHEREAS, There are nearly one million people in the United States living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, disabling disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure; and

WHEREAS, Up to 80 percent of people with MS may develop a progressive form of the disease, characterized as progressive worsening of neurologic function over time; and

WHEREAS, MS is at least two to three times more common in women than in men, and is typically diagnosed when individuals are in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50; and

WHEREAS, MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, blindness, and more; and

WHEREAS, Due to these symptoms and progression of the disease, people with MS, their families, caregivers, employers, and the entire health care system carry substantial clinical and economic burdens over a period of many years; and

WHEREAS, Lost productivity related to loss of employment or the need to retire early due to disease progression may be the largest single factor that contributes to the nonmedical financial, familial, and societal costs of MS; and

WHEREAS, Early and appropriate treatment, including the use of disease-modifying therapies, can markedly reduce disease activity and accumulation of disability, potentially allowing patients to have a more active and independent lifestyle; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That people living with MS, together with their families, should be empowered to seek out information to make decisions about the treatment and care they receive; and be it further

Resolved, That March 28, 2018, and annually each March 28 thereafter, be known as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day in California to increase awareness of this disabling disease and support patients living with progressive forms of MS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, There are nearly one million people in the United States living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, disabling disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure; and

WHEREAS, Up to 80 percent of people with MS may develop a progressive form of the disease, characterized as progressive worsening of neurologic function over time; and

WHEREAS, MS is at least two to three times more common in women than in men, and is typically diagnosed when individuals are in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50; and

WHEREAS, MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, blindness, and more; and

WHEREAS, Due to these symptoms and progression of the disease, people with MS, their families, caregivers, employers, and the entire health care system carry substantial clinical and economic burdens over a period of many years; and

WHEREAS, Lost productivity related to loss of employment or the need to retire early due to disease progression may be the largest single factor that contributes to the nonmedical financial, familial, and societal costs of MS; and

WHEREAS, Early and appropriate treatment, including the use of disease-modifying therapies, can markedly reduce disease activity and accumulation of disability, potentially allowing patients to have a more active and independent lifestyle; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That people living with MS, together with their families, should be empowered to seek out information to make decisions about the treatment and care they receive; and be it further

Resolved, That March 28, 2018, and annually each March 28 thereafter, be known as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis(MS) Day in California to increase awareness of this disabling disease and support patients living with progressive forms of MS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 86

Author: Hill (D)

Introduced: 2/22/18

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims March 28, 2018, and annually each March 28 thereafter, be known as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day in California to increase awareness of this disabling disease and support patients living with progressive forms of MS.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. There are nearly one million people in the United States living with MS, a chronic, disabling disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure.
2. Up to 80 percent of people with MS may develop a progressive form of the disease, characterized as progressive worsening of neurologic function over time.
3. MS is at least two to three times more common in women than in men, and is typically diagnosed when individuals are in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50.
4. MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, blindness, and more. Due to these symptoms and progression of the disease, people with MS, their families, caregivers, employers, and the entire health care system carry substantial clinical and economic burdens over a period of many years.
5. Early and appropriate treatment, including the use of disease-modifying therapies, can markedly reduce disease activity and accumulation of disability, potentially allowing patients to have a more active and independent lifestyle.

This resolution proclaims March 28, 2018, and annually each March 28 thereafter, be known as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day in California to increase awareness of this disabling disease and support patients living with progressive forms of MS; and states that people living with MS, together with their families, should be empowered to seek out information to make decisions about the treatment and care they receive.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 27 (McCarty, Resolution Chapter 20, Statutes of 2017) declared the week of March 5, 2017, through March 11, 2017, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

ACR 141 (Wood and McCarty, Resolution Chapter 25, Statutes of 2016) declared the week of March 7, 2016, through March 13, 2016, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

SCR 16 (Block, Resolution Chapter 15, Statutes of 2015) declared the week of March 2, 2015, through March 8, 2015, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 3/7/18)

Genentech

OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/7/18)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Genentech states in support, “Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day will demonstrate support, offer education, and call for more research to advance care and reduce disability for those living with the most debilitating forms of the disease. We hope that by recognizing this day, the state

will bring about a deeper understanding of the biology driving MS progression and help this disproportionately underserved group in the MS community.”

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

3/9/18 10:28:12

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