SENIOR SENATE FEDERAL PROPOSAL NO. 7

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR SENATOR MANN

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SFP 7: MEDICARE SUPPORT FOR SHINGLES IMMUNIZATION.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, MEDICARE FUNDS A VARIETY OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS AND OTHERS.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ENABLE MEDICARE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SHINGLES IMMUNIZATIONS FOR SENIORS.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SFP 7: RELATING TO SHINGLES IMMUNIZATION

WHEREAS, THE SHINGLES VIRUS AFFECTS SENIOR ADULTS WHO HAVE HAD CHICKEN POX AT AN EARLIER AGE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SHINGLES WILL INFECT OVER ONE MILLION ADULTS THIS YEAR. SHINGLES CAN BE PREVENTED BY IMMUNIZATION, BUT IT IS COSTLY, AND MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER THE COSTS OF THE IMMUNIZATIONS; AND

WHEREAS, SHINGLES IS A VERY PAINFUL AND DEBILITATING DISEASE THAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH. THE VIRUS IS MOST PREVALENT IN ADULTS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE AND CAN BE TREATED, BUT TREATMENT IS SLOW AND EXPENSIVE; AND

WHEREAS, A VACCINE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE PREVENTION OF SHINGLES AND HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THOSE INOCULATED. THE COSTS OF INOCULATION RANGE FROM $150 TO $200, AND MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER THE COSTS OF THESE INOCULATIONS; AND

WHEREAS, THE COSTS TO MEDICARE OF PROVIDING INOCULATIONS WILL MORE THAN OFFSET THE COSTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SHINGLES IN ADULTS 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF SHINGLES IS PRICELESS; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2008 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT ALL PERSONS 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE SHINGLES IMMUNIZATION FREE OF CHARGE THROUGH MEDICARE INSURANCE COVERAGE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES ON AGING, AND TO EACH SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.

RN 08 22047

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