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Bill

J 2081

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 12, 2026, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 62 co-sponsors

Urges the Governor to proclaim May 12, 2026, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in New York to boost recognition, education, and coordinated support for patients and providers.

ADOPTED
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Bill Summary · J 2081

Overview

  • Bill: Senate Resolution No. 2081 (J 2081)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Type: Memorializing resolution directing the Governor to proclaim a state observance
  • Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 12, 2026, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of New York

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution urges the Governor to proclaim May 12, 2026, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in New York.
  • It seeks to raise awareness about fibromyalgia, its impact, and the need for improved diagnosis, treatment, education, and support for patients.

Key Provisions and Provisions / Changes

  • Formal memorial request to the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
  • Provides context and justification for awareness efforts, including:
    • Estimated prevalence: 10-12 million people in the U.S. and 3-6% of the world population have fibromyalgia.
    • Symptoms and impact: widespread chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, and related quality-of-life challenges.
    • Diagnostic and treatment gaps: average 5-year diagnostic delay; lack of comprehensive statewide data or centralized prevalence database; limited physician knowledge and education on fibromyalgia.
    • Economic considerations: average direct costs (over three months) around $951 beyond insurance per patient; estimated annual costs could be higher when considering broader care needs.
    • Treatment approach: emphasis on a multidisciplinary “team” care model incorporating traditional and complementary therapies, with effective communication among patients and providers.
  • Notes on organizations and stakeholders:
    • International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. (IIHE), through its Fibromyalgia Task Force of New York State, is highlighted as a key organizer advocating for education, physician education, employer accommodations, and legal protections.
    • Ongoing efforts include education for physicians (website development with research summaries, disability information, and complementary therapies) and the recommendation to form a statewide committee inclusive of patients, researchers, physicians, legislators, business, education, and complementary therapists.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals with fibromyalgia and their families across New York State, who may gain increased awareness, improved understanding, and potentially better access to resources and protections.
  • Medical and professional communities: Encourages greater physician education and resources; supports a statewide task force/committee to address diagnostic and treatment inequities.
  • Employers and social supports: Highlights the need for accommodations and protections; may influence policy discourse and employer practices.
  • State agencies and organizations: References the New York State Department of Health, SUNY Albany Department of Public Health, Medical Society of the State of New York, Albany Medical Center, and other stakeholders as recipients of the memorial resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Reported to calendar for consideration and adopted on May 12, 2026.
  • Action history:
    • Referred to Finance (May 8, 2026)
    • Reported to calendar for consideration and adopted (May 12, 2026)
  • Next steps: If enacted, the Governor would issue a proclamation designating May 12, 2026, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in New York.

Context and Rationale

  • The resolution frames fibromyalgia as a largely misunderstood and undertreated condition with significant personal and societal costs.
  • It emphasizes education, improved clinical practice, and coordinated care as pathways to better outcomes.
  • The memorial aims to catalyze formal recognition by the executive branch, potentially fostering awareness campaigns, events, and resource coordination statewide.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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