Bill
HR 1051
HR 1051 designates Eating Disorder Action Week to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote early intervention; urges leaders to expand access and drive policy action.
Title: To recognize Eating Disorder Action Week as a time to raise awareness, promote education, and encourage early intervention and treatment for eating disorders.
Status: Read and adopted by the Arkansas House (Adopted May 23, 2025; reported enrolled May 24, 2025). Introduced February 6, 2025. Amendment No. 1 read and adopted February 25, 2025.
Note: The packet supplied also included text of federal statutory amendments to 21 U.S.C. §355(j) (related to generic drug 180‑day exclusivity). That text appears unrelated to this Arkansas House Resolution and is not part of HR 1051 as enacted by the Arkansas House.
Purpose and intent
- HR 1051 is a non‑binding state House resolution that formally recognizes an “Eating Disorder Action Week” as an occasion to increase public awareness, promote education, reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and improve access to treatment for eating disorders.
- The resolution urges collaboration among medical professionals, educators, policymakers, and community organizations and calls on leaders to take proactive policy and resource steps to address the issue.
Key provisions and language
- Officially recognizes Eating Disorder Action Week as a time for awareness, education, and encouragement of early intervention and treatment.
- Urges medical professionals, educators, policymakers, and community organizations to work collaboratively to:
- Improve access to treatment,
- Reduce stigma,
- Provide comprehensive support to affected individuals.
- Calls on local, state, and national leaders to implement policies and allocate resources to address rising prevalence and ensure access to care, with special attention to women who are disproportionately affected.
Factual findings cited in the resolution
- National estimates: eating disorders affect about 9% of the U.S. population (≈28,800,000 people); highest psychiatric mortality rate (one death every 52 minutes attributed to an eating disorder).
- Sex differences: lifetime prevalence estimated at 8.6% for women and 4.07% for men.
- Special populations noted as facing unique challenges: marginalized communities, military personnel, athletes, and men.
- Comorbidity: links to depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and elevated suicide risk.
- Youth risk: teenagers and college students highlighted as particularly vulnerable.
- Arkansas data cited (2021): Arkansas ranked 13th nationally for eating disorder prevalence; estimated annual related healthcare costs of $42,400,000; 516 inpatient admissions and 140 ED visits with an eating disorder diagnosis; >4,500 Arkansans generated nearly 30,000 insurance claims related to eating disorder diagnoses.
Who is affected / potential impact
- Primary focus: Arkansans living with eating disorders and those at risk (including youth, women, marginalized groups, military, and athletes).
- Secondary audiences: healthcare providers, educators, insurers, community organizations, and policymakers.
- Practical effect: Symbolic and advisory. The resolution does not appropriate funds or create statutory entitlements; it signals legislative priorities and encourages policy action and resource allocation by government agencies and private entities.
Procedural timeline (selected actions)
- 2025-02-06: Introduced and referred to committee.
- 2025-02-24 to 02-25: Committee reported with recommendation; Amendment No. 1 read and adopted; engrossed.
- 2025-05-01 to 05-23: Placed on calendars, read before the House, and adopted (nonrecord vote noted).
- 2025-05-24: Reported enrolled.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsors: D. Garner (House sponsor listed in the engrossed text) and Nikki Budzinski (listed among sponsors in the packet).
- Cosponsors: McCullough, Hudson, J. Mayberry, Gonzales Worthen, Vaught.
Bottom line
HR 1051 is a ceremonial/resolution measure that raises legislative attention to eating disorders, promotes coordinated awareness and education efforts, and urges policymakers and community stakeholders to improve access to care and reduce stigma. It does not by itself create funding or regulatory mandates but may serve as a vehicle to encourage subsequent policy or funding actions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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