Senate Concurrent Resolution 544

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE.

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 which 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 SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby encourage the Division of Medicaid to pursue the feasibility of implementing a pilot program to provide chronic disease management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using private sources of funding in an effort to reduce the financial and clinical burden of COPD illness upon the Medicaid program and the citizens of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That if a pilot program is deemed feasible, that such a program be implemented and a report of findings and recommendations be prepared and provided to the Office of the Governor and the Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health and Welfare Committees and the Chairman of the House Medicaid Committee in order to 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.