06 LC 97
0684
House
Resolution 1732
By:
Representative Manning of the
32nd
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the House Asthma Strategic Planning Study Committee; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
asthma is one of the most chronic health conditions in the world, affecting over
20 million people in the United States; and
WHEREAS,
this affliction is responsible for more than 500,000 hospitalizations and 5,000
deaths nationwide; and
WHEREAS,
asthma costs Americans approximately $11 billion per year in health care
expenses and results in almost $5 billion in additional costs due to worker
absenteeism and lost productivity; and
WHEREAS,
it is the most common childhood disorder, affecting approximately 11 percent of
all persons in Georgia ages 17 and under; and
WHEREAS,
asthma accounts for over 64,000 childhood emergency room visits in Georgia
annually and is the most frequent reason for school absenteeism;
and
WHEREAS,
asthma affects people regardless of age, race, ethnic group, or
gender.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Asthma Strategic Planning Study Committee to be composed of five
members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, as well as representatives from the Governor's office,
the Public Employee Health Benefits Division and the Division of Medical
Assistance of the Department of Community Health, the Department of Education,
the Department of Early Care and Learning, the American Lung Association, and
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The Speaker shall designate a member of the
committee as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all
meetings of the committee. The committee shall undertake a study of the current
prevalence of asthma in Georgia and determine a state-wide strategy for reducing
the prevalence of the disease as well as improving the health status of
Georgians with asthma.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and
recommend any action or legislation the committee deems necessary or
appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such
times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and
purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall
receive the allowance provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code
of Georgia Annotated. Citizen members shall receive a daily expense allowance in
the amount specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated as well as the mileage or transportation allowance
authorized for state employees. Any member who is a public official or employee
other than a member of the General Assembly shall not receive a daily expense
allowance but may be reimbursed for actual expenses by his or her public
employer. All funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution
shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. The expenses
and allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member
of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized.
In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations,
with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on
or before December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31,
2006.