Senate Resolution No. 1368

BY: Senator LITTLE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 5-12, 2019, 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, total
healthcare costs may be 2-3 times higher than patients without FM; in
another study published by the American College of Rheumatology, of
2,321 patients surveyed, 34.8% received Social Security Disability
benefits; 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 currently available tools; 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 traditional 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; 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 teaching 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 wishes to honor Beth Yoxthimer,
Physical Therapist, founder of the Integrative Pain Program at St.
Peter's Hospital, for providing innovative and outstanding pain
management services for over 20 years for patients living with chronic
pain, including Fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, Patients benefit from her intensive study of pain
management, and her Clinical Practice using integrative therapies;
patients can participate in her in-person and online Chronic Pain
Support Groups, as well as receive Physical Therapy including aqua
therapy and integrative manual therapy; and

WHEREAS, The Fibromyalgia Task Force expresses deep appreciation to
Beth Yoxthimer, PT, and recognizes her commitment to continuous learning
through her Certification in Pain Management, her membership in The
American Academy of Pain Management, and her work using integrative
therapies; 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 more effective treatments,
prevention, and a cure, for 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 5-12, 2019, 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.; The
Center For Rheumatology; and St. Peter's Integrative Pain Program.