house resolution no.67

Rep. O'Malley offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare March 26, 2021, as Epilepsy Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Epilepsy Awareness Day is a nationwide effort of the Epilepsy Foundation to raise awareness about, and change the conversation around the epilepsies, seizures, and side effects, as well as to improve and save lives through care, advocacy, research, new therapies, and education; and

Whereas, Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures that can affect anyone, at any age, any time; and

Whereas, Epilepsy is a spectrum disease comprised of many diagnoses and experiences and includes a wide range of seizure types, comorbidities, control, severity, and outcomes varying from person-to-person; and

Whereas, Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder. Approximately 3.4 million people in the U.S. including 108,900 in Michigan live with active epilepsy; and

Whereas, An increasing number of people are diagnosed with rare epilepsies which are largely complex, severe, chronic, and even life-threatening, and collectively rare epilepsies account for a growing percentage of the epilepsy population; and

Whereas, Many treatments are approved to treat seizures, 30 – 40% of people with epilepsy still live with uncontrolled seizures and the epilepsy-related medical costs associated with uncontrolled epilepsy are 2 to 10 times higher than those of controlled epilepsy; and

Whereas, Annual epilepsy-specific healthcare costs can be up to $19,749 per person and 21% of people with epilepsy have reported not being able to afford their prescription medication(s) in the last year; and

Whereas, People with epilepsy need access to affordable, comprehensive, physician-directed, and person-centered healthcare; and

Whereas, 470,000 children live with epilepsy in the U.S. and students with epilepsy aged 6 – 17 years old have missed 11 or more days of school the past year on average, greater education and improved access to care is needed in schools which can be accomplished by passing Seizure Safe Schools legislation nationwide; and

Whereas, Protections exist in the Americans with Disabilities Act and related civil rights laws, people with epilepsy still encounter discrimination in areas including employment, education, and housing; and

Whereas, Epilepsy can affect anyone with a brain, and anyone with a brain can affect epilepsy; and

Whereas, Through action together on Epilepsy Awareness Day and during other awareness initiatives, including International Epilepsy Day, National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Brain Awareness Week, and any day of the year, we must increase public knowledge about the epilepsies and seizure first aid and change the way people think about the epilepsies and seizures; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare March 26, 2021, as Epilepsy Awareness Day in the state of Michigan. We encourage residents to take action together and use our brains to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.