HBA-MPM H.C.R. 235 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 235 By: Delisi Public Health 4/23/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Women are metabolically, hormonally, and physiologically different from men, have different patterns of health, and suffer from certain diseases at higher rates than men. More than one in five women will have some form of cardiovascular disease, and one in two women will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime. Additionally, women are three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and two to three times more likely to suffer from depression. There is evidence that women are undertreated compared to men and underrepresented in health research. While there has been some national attention on women's health care issues and some legislative activity on the federal level, there has been little change in important preventive care and treatment issues. House Joint Resolution 235 encourages state agencies and institutions of education and other entities to take appropriate action to achieve improved and equal access for women to quality health care. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Joint Resolution 235 encourages every state agency and state chartered institution of education as well as any recipient of state grants or funding to take appropriate action to achieve improved and equal access for women to quality health care. The resolution commends Women in Government for its leadership and dedication in raising awareness of women's health issues and advocating improved access to health care for all women.