AJR142: Joint Resolution Text

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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 142

March 7, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Subeck, S. Rodriguez, Andraca, Baldeh, Cabral-Guevara, Cabrera, Conley, Considine, Drake, Emerson, Hebl, Hesselbein, B. Meyers, Milroy, Ohnstad, Shankland, Sinicki, Spreitzer, Stubbs and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senators Ringhand, Roys and Larson. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR142,1,2 Relating to: designating May 2022 as Bone Health and Osteoporosis Awareness Month in Wisconsin.

AJR142,1,5 Whereas, an estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass and studies suggest that approximately 1 in 2 women and up to 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis; and

AJR142,1,9 Whereas, approximately 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries suffered approximately 2.1 million osteoporotic fractures a year, and osteoporosis-related bone fractures are responsible for more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer; and

AJR142,1,12 Whereas, the total annual cost for osteoporotic fractures among Medicare beneficiaries was $57 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow to over $95 billion in 2040 without reforms, as the population ages; and

AJR142,1,14 Whereas, in Wisconsin 32,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered over 38,000 osteoporotic fractures in 2016; and

AJR142,2,2 Whereas, Wisconsinites on Medicare that suffered not just an initial fracture but also a subsequent fracture resulted in estimated costs of over $83.2 million; and

AJR142,2,6 Whereas, osteoporosis and the broken bones it can cause are not part of normal aging. Building strong bones begins in childhood and is essential to the prevention of osteoporosis. Care for our bones is important throughout our lives, but we reach our peak bone mass by early adulthood; and

AJR142,2,10 Whereas, optimum bone health and prevention of osteoporosis can be maximized by a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake; and

AJR142,2,14 Whereas, osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because one can't feel bones weakening. Breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis. Timely bone health screening, diagnosis, and treatment can help prevent fractures leading to hospitalization and nursing home stays; and

AJR142,2,17 Whereas, cost-effective post-fracture care, which improves care coordination, has been demonstrated to reduce the number of subsequent or repeat fractures, yet is not widely available or properly incentivized by Medicare; and

AJR142,2,20 Whereas, it is crucial that we raise awareness about bone health and osteoporosis among the public, health professionals, and policy makers; now, therefore, be it

AJR142,3,2 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin State Legislature recognizes and appreciates the ideals, goals, and activities of Bone Health and Osteoporosis Month in May and encourages observation of appropriate good health programs and activities with respect to promoting good bone health through the lifetime and preventing and controlling osteoporosis.

AJR142,3,3 (End)