2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
LRB-0967/1
CMH:cjs
2023 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 3
January 19, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives DITTRICH, SHELTON, ARMSTRONG,
SINICKI, GUNDRUM, BILLINGS, ROZAR, CABRERA, SUBECK, KITCHENS, SCHRAA,
CONLEY, MURSAU, MURPHY, DRAKE, STUBBS, SNODGRASS, DUCHOW and
SHANKLAND. Referred to Committee on Rules.
1 Relating to: observing February 28, 2023, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin.
2 Whereas, there are nearly 7,000 diseases and conditions considered rare (each
3 affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans) in the United States, according to the
4 National Institutes of Health (NIH); and
5 Whereas, while each of these diseases may affect small numbers of people, rare
6 diseases as a group affect approximately 25 to 30 million Americans; and
7 Whereas, many rare diseases are serious and debilitating conditions that have
8 a significant impact on the lives of those affected; and
9 Whereas, while more than 800 drugs and biologics have been approved for the
10 treatment of rare diseases according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
11 millions of Americans still have rare diseases for which there is no approved
12 treatment; and
13 Whereas, individuals and families affected by rare diseases often experience
14 problems such as diagnosis delay, difficulty finding a medical expert, and lack of
15 access to treatments or ancillary services; and
 LRB-0967/1
2023 - 2024 Legislature -2- CMH:cjs
1 Whereas, while the public is familiar with some rare diseases, many patients
2 and families affected by less widely known rare diseases bear a large share of the
3 burden of funding research and raising public awareness to support the search for
4 treatments; and
5 Whereas, residents of Wisconsin are among those affected by rare diseases
6 because nearly one in 10 Americans have rare diseases; and
7 Whereas, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is organizing
8 a nationwide observance of Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2023; now, therefore,
9 be it
10 Resolved by the assembly, That February 28, 2023, will be observed as Rare
11 Disease Day in Wisconsin.
12 (END)