House Resolution 1155
By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Sanchez of the
42nd, and Mathiak of the 82nd
A RESOLUTION
Urging state-wide support for passage of the "Georgia PAD Screening and Amputation
Prevention Act," to establish state agency programs and healthcare coverage requirements
to prevent or reduce amputations due to peripheral artery disease; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a progressive medical condition in which
the peripheral arteries, primarily in the legs, become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood
flow to the affected areas; and
WHEREAS, an estimated ten to 12 million adults in the United States have PAD, increasing
the risk of limb amputations, heart attack, stroke, and death; and
WHEREAS, risk factors for PAD include Type 1 or 2 diabetes, smoking, high blood
pressure, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis in other parts of the body, and being 75
years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of the people 65 years of age and older who had a limb amputated
because of PAD died within a year of surgery; and
WHEREAS, only a fraction of patients with PAD are diagnosed, resulting in undertreatment;
and
WHEREAS, early detection of, accurate diagnosis of, and regular healthcare services for
PAD are critical for initiating treatment, providing medical interventions, and improving
health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, ways to help early detection of PAD include establishing a patient registry,
launching public awareness campaigns, offering training grants, and providing facility
incentives; and
WHEREAS, providing for the coverage of certain screenings and healthcare services can
prevent limb amputations and death; and
WHEREAS, establishing state agency programs and requiring coverage of certain screenings
and healthcare services can make Georgia the number one state for living long and healthy
lives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body urge state-wide support for passage of the "Georgia PAD Screening
and Amputation Prevention Act," to establish state agency programs and healthcare coverage
requirements to prevent or reduce amputations due to peripheral artery disease.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
Governor, the Commissioner of Insurance, the commissioner of public health, the
commissioner of community health, and all members of the Georgia General Assembly.