PRINTER'S NO. 2749
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
620
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY BERNSTINE, KINSEY, READSHAW, NEILSON, BAKER,
DRISCOLL, RYAN, BIZZARRO, HENNESSEY, TOOHIL, LONGIETTI,
CHARLTON, DUSH, SONNEY, O'NEILL, MILLARD, PICKETT, MURT,
DiGIROLAMO, BOBACK, MUSTIO, V. BROWN, MARSICO, VITALI,
BRADFORD, CONKLIN, WARD, D. COSTA, GILLEN, WATSON AND
JOZWIAK, NOVEMBER 27, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 27, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Raising awareness of spinal muscular atrophy in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetically
inherited disease affecting the part of the nervous system that
controls voluntary muscle movement; and
WHEREAS, SMA is the leading genetic cause of death for
infants and toddlers, affecting one in every 11,000 births in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, One in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier of
SMA; and
WHEREAS, There are an estimated 237,083 SMA carriers in
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 13 babies are born with SMA annually in
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Among autosomal recessive disorders, SMA is the most
common fatal disease and is second in birth prevalence only to
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cystic fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms in the mildest cases of SMA include muscle
weakness, muscle twitching and lack of muscle tone; and
WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, this rare disorder can
interfere with one's ability to sit unsupported and cause
difficulty breathing and swallowing; and
WHEREAS, Early detection is vital to preventing SMA from
progressing and interfering with one's basic life functions; and
WHEREAS, Significant clinical history and natural history
indicate that early treatment is necessary to provide the best
outcomes for those affected by SMA; and
WHEREAS, In addition to therapies that manage symptoms of SMA
among children and adults, the Food and Drug Administration has
recently approved the first SMA treatment; and
WHEREAS, Improving the length and quality of life for people
with SMA starts with awareness; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives raise awareness
of spinal muscular atrophy in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Department of Health to analyze whether it is appropriate to add
SMA to the newborn screening list.
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