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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known |
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as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth-leading cause of |
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death in the United States and the only one of the top five causes |
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whose prevalence and death rate are rising; and |
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WHEREAS, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a |
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progressive disease that potentially impacts more than 24 million |
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Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, The annual cost to the nation for chronic |
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obstructive pulmonary disease in 2004 was estimated to be |
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approximately $37 billion; and |
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WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and management of chronic |
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obstructive pulmonary disease can effectively reduce the overall |
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financial burden of the illness on public programs such as |
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Medicaid; and |
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WHEREAS, Proper management of chronic obstructive pulmonary |
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disease can lead to improved quality of life and self-sufficiency |
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on the part of patients cared for within public programs; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th |
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Legislature, hereby encourage the Texas Health and Human Services |
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Commission to consider partnering with private entities to provide |
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education on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to Medicaid |
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providers and recipients in an effort to reduce the financial and |
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clinical burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease upon the |
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Medicaid program and the citizens of Texas. |
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* * * * * |