Assembly Resolution No. 1145

BY: M. of A. Solages

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 6-12, 2018, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, and an
estimated 3-6 percent of the world's population, have been diagnosed
with Fibromyalgia (FM), an illness for which there is yet no known cause
or cure; and

WHEREAS, A chronic syndrome that is increasing at alarming rates,
Fibromyalgia causes debilitating widespread pain and fatigue, appears to
have a genetic component, and occurs in women, men, and children of all
ethnicities; and

WHEREAS, Patients with Fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with
widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep
disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and
tingling, and impairment of memory and concentration; and

WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a
diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are
inadequately educated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of
Fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, A 2007 study found that FM patients spend between
$100-$1,000 per month above insurance costs to see healthcare providers;
costs in the United States are estimated between $12-14 billion per year
and account for loss of 1-2% of the nation's productivity; and

WHEREAS, According to a survey of 1,168 FM patients, 25% had
received disability payments, and total healthcare costs may be 2-3
times higher than patients without FM; failure to diagnose and
adequately treat Fibromyalgia has deep financial implications for
patients and for the healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, According to a fact sheet provided by the National
Fibromyalgia Association, 90% of physicians agree there is a need for
more physician oriented information, and 82% of physicians agree that FM
is difficult to treat with the tools that are currently available; use
of complementary and alternative medicine is 2 1/2 times higher in FM
patients; and

WHEREAS, Patients report that the optimal approach to treating
Fibromyalgia is a team of physicians and complementary therapists
tailoring the treatment for each individual patient; this can be
accomplished best in an arrangement that facilitates communication
between the patient and the team; and

WHEREAS, Awareness events need to be expanded that will continue to
promote understanding and support within the broader community; and

WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc., a
nonprofit charitable organization in the Capital District of New York,

is dedicated to empowering all who face discrimination as a result of
race, gender, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, and lifestyle
choices; and

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients are often misunderstood by the
medical, business, and education communities, primarily due to the lack
of education in medical schools about what is known regarding this
potentially disabling illness; and

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients often lose jobs, insurance, homes,
and spouses or significant others due to lack of awareness and
understanding about the potentially devastating impact of Fibromyalgia;
and

WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, under
the leadership of Sue Shipe, PhD, developed the Fibromyalgia Task Force
to address inequities in the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia
patients due to lack of adequate education of physicians regarding this
illness; and

WHEREAS, The Fibromyalgia Task Force, comprised of Physician
Advisors, medical researchers, educators, business, community leaders,
attorneys, complementary therapists, students, and patients will address
these inequities by: disseminating the Seminar Report-Fibromyalgia:
Awareness, Advocacy and Action; introducing a Legislative Bill that
requires physician continuing education in Fibromyalgia in New York
State; and introducing a Legislative Bill to develop a funded
Fibromyalgia Center in the Capital District of New York State to provide
education and accessible, complementary medical treatments not currently
covered by insurance; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the challenging work of
the Fibromyalgia Task Force, and commends each person who participates
toward improving the lives of Fibromyalgia patients; and

WHEREAS, The community's focus on Fibromyalgia and its impact on
patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people
with Fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those
chronically ill people who suffer from Fibromyalgia, and urges all of
our citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those
individuals and families who deal with this devastating syndrome on a
daily basis; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6-12, 2018, as
Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; International Institute for Human Empowerment, Inc.; Center
for Rheumatology; Center for Natural Wellness; INTiDYN; and Buckley,
Mendleson, Criscione, and Quinn, PC.