Bill Text: MI SR0063 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Enrolled

Michigan Senate Resolution 63 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A resolution to recognize June 2019 as Lipedema Awareness Month.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-3)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-20 - Adopted [SR0063 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2019-SR0063-Enrolled.html

SR63, As Adopted by Senate, June 20, 2019

Senators Geiss, Wojno, Bayer, Polehanki, Santana, Ananich and Hollier offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 63.

A resolution to recognize June 2019 as Lipedema Awareness Month.

Whereas, Lipedema is a chronic and painful lymphatic disease that occurs almost exclusively in women and is thought to affect between 10 to 17 million people in America; and

Whereas, Lipedema is characterized by bilateral, excess symmetrical fatty tissue that bruises easily, mainly in the hip region, upper and lower leg areas, or upper arms, combined with a tendency for leg swelling that worsens when standing; and

Whereas, The etiology of lipedema and other types of fatty tissue enlargement is still unknown, although a genetic cause is suspected; and

Whereas, Individuals who suffer from this disease are further impacted by the absence of diagnostic tools, the lack of pubic and medical awareness of lipedema, and the stigma associated with weight gain; and

Whereas, Patients suffering from lipedema cannot simply shed the additional weight and size through typical or extreme weight loss measures; and

Whereas, The disease is progressive through four stages, which means that the condition gradually worsens and is degenerative, painful, disfiguring, and can lead to permanent disability; and

Whereas, Certain types of liposuction are the only treatments that can reverse the pain, disfigurement, and immobility caused by lipedema; and

Whereas, Most lipedema patients cannot access this surgery due to its classification as a cosmetic procedure and the costs associated with paying out-of-pocket, which can be tens of thousands of dollars, and many require numerous surgeries to treat their condition; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize June 2019 as Lipedema Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the medical community to expand both education and research of this painful disease and to spread awareness of lipedema while advocating for Michiganders who may be suffering in silence.