Reps. Leland, Espinoza, McDowell, Plakas, Alma Smith, Mayes, Condino, Bieda, Gleason, Kolb, Hune, Shaffer, Brandenburg, Williams, Anderson, Adamini, Hildenbrand, Accavitti, Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Clack, Dillon, Farrah, Hopgood, Kehrl, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Miller, Murphy, Phillips, Polidori, Spade, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Waters, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 136.

A resolution declaring September 2005 as Pain Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. 

            Whereas, Pain is a serious health problem that affects an estimated 50 million Americans every year; and

            Whereas, People who suffer through pain are often marginalized and stigmatized, and thus often not informed of their right to effective pain assessment and management; and

            Whereas, Untreated chronic pain may rob the citizens of Michigan of their quality of life -- affecting physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being; and

Whereas, According to published estimates, one in five individuals has moderate to severe chronic pain, and a third of those individuals are inhibited from leading an active lifestyle because of it; and

Whereas, It is estimated that pain costs more than $100 billion annually in lost workdays and medical expenses.  Many citizens, especially the elderly, minorities, and urban and rural poor are unable to get treatment helping them to manage their pain due to high health care costs; and

            Whereas, Increased awareness of, and potential cures for, chronic pain can lead to much needed relief; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 2005 as Pain Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.