House Concurrent Resolution 81

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE USING NO STATE FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one of the top five causes whose prevalence and death rate are rising; and

WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic progressive disease that impacts an estimated 30 million Americans and caused approximately 121,000 deaths in 2000; and

WHEREAS, the annual cost to the nation for COPD in 2000 was estimated to be approximately $30.4 billion; and

WHEREAS, early diagnosis and management of COPD can effectively reduce the overall financial burden of the illness within public programs such as Medicaid; and

WHEREAS, proper management of COPD can lead to improved quality of life and self-sufficiency on the part of patients cared for within public programs:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we encourage the Division of Medicaid to pursue the feasibility of implementing a pilot program to provide chronic disease management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using only private sources of funding and no state funds, in an effort to reduce the financial and clinical burden of COPD illness on the Medicaid program and the citizens of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That if a pilot program is deemed feasible, that the division implement such a program using only private sources of funding and no state funds, and prepare a report of findings and recommendations and provide the report to the Office of the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Medicaid Committee so that they can evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program in reducing costs within the Medicaid program and in providing improved health and well-being of the affected patients.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Division of Medicaid and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.