SENATE RESOLUTION 26

(By Senators Grady, Lindsay, and Jeffries)

[Introduced February 14, 2022]

Designating the month of February, 2022, as Self-Care Awareness month.

Whereas, Self-care is the lifelong daily habit of healthy choices for overall wellness, including good hygiene practices, healthy diet, regular exercise, and personal health care for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of infections, injuries, and illness, as well as knowing when to seek assistance from health care professionals; and

Whereas, Self-care is a cornerstone of helping to reduce the overall cost of health care in West Virginia and the country; and

Whereas, Self-care includes making responsible use of over the counter and prescription medications, dietary supplements, and medical devices; and

Whereas, The United States Food and Drug Administration deems over-the-counter medicine safe and effective for the self-care treatment of minor acute and chronic health conditions and symptoms such as pain, the common cold, and allergies, which impact large segments of the population; and

Whereas, According to an Information Resources, Inc. study, for every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines, it saves more than $7 for the health care system, resulting in more than $146 billion in annual savings; and

Whereas, Over-the-counter medical devices like bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits, used for the purposes of prevention, testing, and treatment are well-accepted cost saving elements of the health care system; and

Whereas, Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements can fill critical nutrient gaps, particularly for lower income families that may experience food insecurities in West Virginia; and

Whereas, West Virginia benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care. They do not make unnecessary visits to health care professionals, thereby reducing the burden on the health care system, and are empowered by higher self-esteem, improved health, and overall wellness; and

Whereas, The availability of self-care can help improve personal and public health, save personal and public treasury, and strengthen the sustainability of the broader health care system; and

Whereas, Exemptions for over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices from sales taxes benefit West Virginia residents. When affordability of consumer health care products increases, more people will seek treatment for their ailments before they become more serious; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate encourages consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to communicate the benefits of self-care by recognizing the month of February as Self-Care Awareness month; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Mr. Sam Minardi.