HR1155: HR1155 Georgia PAD Screening and Amputation Prevention Act; state-wide support for passage; urge

26 LC 52 0894 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 Scree ning and Amputation1 Prevention Act," to establish state agency programs and healthcare coverage requirements2 to prevent or reduce amputations due to peripheral artery disease; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a progressive medical condition in which4 the peripheral arteries, primarily in the legs, become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood5 flow to the affected areas; and6 WHEREAS, an estimated ten to 12 million adults in the United States have PAD, increasing7 the risk of limb amputations, heart attack, stroke, and death; and8 WHEREAS, risk factors for PAD include Type 1 or 2 diabetes, smo king, high blood9 pressure, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis in other part s of the body, and being 7510 years of age or older; and11 WHEREAS, nearly half of the people 65 years of age and older who had a limb amputated12 because of PAD died within a year of surgery; and13 H. R. 1155 - 1 - 26 LC 52 0894 WHEREAS, only a fraction of patients with PAD are diagnosed, resulting in undertreatment;14 and15 WHEREAS, early detection of, accurate diagnosis of, and regular healthcare services for16 PAD are critical for initiating treatment, providing medical in terventions, and improving17 health outcomes; and18 WHEREAS, ways to help early detection of PAD include establishi ng a patient registry,19 launching public awareness campaigns, offering training grants, and providing facility20 incentives; and21 WHEREAS, providing for t he coverage of certain screenings and h ealthcare services can22 prevent limb amputations and death; and23 WHEREAS, establishing state agency programs and requiring coverage of certain screenings24 and healthcare services can make Georgia the number one state for living long and healthy25 lives.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that27 the members of this body urge state-wide support for passage of the "Georgia PAD Screening28 and Amputation Prevention Act," to establish state agency programs and healthcare coverage29 requirements to prevent or reduce amputations due to peripheral artery disease.30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized31 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the32 Governor, the Commissioner of Insurance, the commissioner of pu blic health, the33 commissioner of community health, and all members of the Georgia General Assembly.34 H. R. 1155 - 2 -