H.R. No. 195
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, There are nearly 7,000 diseases and conditions that
are considered rare by medical authorities in the United States,
and each year, thousands of Texans are among those whose lives are
changed by these diseases; and
WHEREAS, A rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer
than 200,000 people, but even though a specific disease may afflict
only a small number of sufferers, such conditions, as a group,
affect almost 30 million Americans, or nearly one in 10 people in
our nation; and
WHEREAS, Many rare diseases are serious and debilitating,
with a significant impact on the lives of those affected and their
families, and more than 15 million Americans have a disease for
which there is no specific treatment; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and families who face a rare disease
often experience a sense of isolation, difficulty in getting an
accurate and timely diagnosis, few treatment options, and problems
in receiving reimbursement for treatment; moreover, those who are
diagnosed with a lesser known disorder often find that they must
bear the lion's share of the responsibility for raising awareness
as well as for raising funds for research toward a possible
treatment or cure; and
WHEREAS, The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
is sponsoring a nationwide observance of Rare Disease Day, when
patients, medical professionals, researchers, government
officials, and companies developing treatments can join together to
focus attention on rare diseases as a public health issue; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 28, 2015, as Rare Disease Day
and encourage all Texans to learn more about this matter of serious
concern.
Naishtat
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 195 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House