08 LC 33
2597
House
Resolution 1772
By:
Representatives Buckner of the
130th,
Abrams of the
84th,
Kaiser of the
59th,
Thomas of the
55th,
Carter of the
175th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
health care providers to provide unrestricted coverage for the treatment and
prevention of lymphedema and urging hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other
health care providers to require any lymphedema treatment to be conducted by
nationally certified lymphedema therapists; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the World Health Organization cites lymphedema as the second leading cause of
disability in the world; and
WHEREAS,
lymphedema is the swelling in the body resulting from an accumulation of fluid
in the tissue caused through a genetic condition or by a disruption in the
lymphatic system´s ability to clean and filter lymph fluid in the body;
and
WHEREAS,
lymphedema can occur at any time in a person´s life after an initial injury
to the lymphatic system and if it is not treated properly, it can progress and
cause a high risk of infection, can result in expensive hospitalizations and
antibiotic treatments, and can cause disabling or even fatal conditions;
and
WHEREAS,
lymphedema is a chronic condition requiring lifelong management, and proper
treatment can increase the patient´s quality of life; and
WHEREAS,
the treatment of lymphedema is simpler to manage and far less expensive than the
complications that can occur from lack of treatment; and
WHEREAS,
presently health care coverage for lymphedema falls under rehabilitation
benefits; and
WHEREAS,
lymphedema is a chronic condition and should have unrestricted coverage;
and
WHEREAS,
national certification for lymphedema therapists is available through the
Lymphology Association of North America; and
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia does not currently require that lymphedema treatment be
performed by certified lymphedema therapists and anecdotal evidence suggests
that many hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other health care providers in
this state do not require that lymphedema treatment be performed by certified
lymphedema therapists.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that health care
providers in this state are strongly urged to provide unrestricted coverage for
the treatment and prevention of lymphedema.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other health
care providers in this state are strongly urged to require any lymphedema
treatment to be conducted by nationally certified lymphedema therapists.