House Resolution 41
By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Jackson of the 68th, Scott of
the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Urging Congress to reduce the waiting period for determination and approval of disability
benefits for individuals living with lupus; to ensure equitable access to essential disability
benefits for such individuals; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems in the body,
often resulting in severe pain, fatigue, organ damage, and life-altering complications; and
WHEREAS, the unpredictable and debilitating nature of lupus frequently impairs individuals'
ability to maintain consistent employment, making disability benefits a critical safety net;
and
WHEREAS, the current Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security
Income approval processes often involve significant delays, exacerbating the financial and
emotional strain on individuals living with lupus; and
WHEREAS, individuals with lupus face unique challenges in documenting their condition
due to the disease's complexity, variability, and often subjective symptoms, contributing to
high rates of initial claim denials and prolonged appeals processes; and
WHEREAS, timely access to disability benefits is essential for individuals with lupus to
afford medical care, medications, and basic living expenses necessary for their survival and
well-being.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
this body urges Congress to prioritize reforms to the federal disability determination process
to address the unique challenges faced by individuals living with lupus, including, but not
limited to:
(a) Expedited processing for claims involving lupus;
(b) Improved education and training for disability claims examiners and adjudicators on
lupus' medical complexities;
(c) Development of clearer guidelines for evaluating lupus-related disability claims to
reduce inconsistencies and high denial rates; and
(d) Increased funding for the Social Security Administration to improve claim processing
times and resources for individuals with lupus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress is urged to collaborate with medical experts,
patient advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure that lupus patients
receive fair and timely access to the disability benefits they deserve.
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
President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, and to each member of the Congressional delegation from this state.