HOUSE MEMORIAL 40

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Emily Kane

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION STUDY THE DISABILITY IMPACT OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ON CERTAIN PROFESSIONS AND REVIEW CURRENT PRESUMPTIONS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

     WHEREAS, approximately eight million American adults, about three and one-half percent of the population, have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD; and

     WHEREAS, PTSD can significantly impair a person's life; and

     WHEREAS, people with PTSD may experience flashbacks to traumatic events, have trouble sleeping, have frightening thoughts and have nightmares; and

     WHEREAS, people with PTSD may easily be startled, causing them to feel on edge or to have angry outbursts; and

     WHEREAS, PTSD often leaves people feeling emotionally numb, possibly experiencing a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable and leaving a lingering feeling of guilt or depression; and

     WHEREAS, having PTSD affects not only the individual, but also the individual's entire family; and 

     WHEREAS, people who work in certain professional fields, including emergency responders, may be more likely to experience PTSD; and

     WHEREAS, first responders often put their lives at risk and immerse themselves in horrific situations in the service of others; and

     WHEREAS, many occupations have a long history of presumptive illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, emergency responding has an increased risk of certain associated illnesses, including infectious diseases, cancers and cardiovascular illness and injury;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the workers' compensation administration be requested to study PTSD and its relationship to job-related health problems for first responders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workers' compensation administration review the current presumptions for first responders, including eleven cancers, five infectious diseases and various cardiovascular provisions, that are presumed to be job-related for the purposes of making a claim to the workers' compensation administration; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workers' compensation administration allow all interested persons representing workers and employers to participate and provide recommendations and input into this study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workers' compensation administration be requested to provide recommendations to the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the workers' compensation administration.

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