Establishes the New York state celiac disease awareness and research fund

BILL NUMBER:A8963

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to education on celiac disease; to amend the tax law and state finance law, in relation to the celiac disease awareness and research fund; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to distinctive plates for the celiac disease awareness and research fund

Purpose or general idea of bill

To create a statewide program within the Department of Health to promote awareness among the public and health care professionals concerning the causes and consequences of celiac disease.

Summary of specific provisions

The commissioner of health shall establish, promote and maintain, within the department, a celiac disease education and awareness program with an emphasis on early detection, to raise public awareness and educate and train health care providers.

This bill also allows the department to accept gifts, grants, and donations from the federal government, foundations or other organizations and entities for fulfilling the obligations of the program.

Justification

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the world. Originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome, celiac disease is now known to be a common genetic disorder.

More than two million people in the United States have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods, but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins and lip balms.

When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi -- the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much one eats.

People with celiac disease may have no symptoms but can still develop complications of the disease over time. Long-term complications include malnutrition-which can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, and miscarriage, among other problems-liver diseases, and cancers of the intestine. Another characteristic of celiac disease is that it is often misdiagnosed, or only diagnosed after years of suffering, missed work, and expensive diagnostic testing and ineffective treatment. Consequently, raising awareness among medical professionals and the public about celiac disease could save the State of New York hundreds

of millions of dollars otherwise lost to unnecessary or ineffective medical treatments, or in lost work productivity.

Prior legislation

None.

Fiscal implications

This bill will result in significant savings to the State of New York.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.