HCR 4-MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH  4:52:25 PM CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4, Proclaiming May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. 4:52:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HCR 4. He described the opportunity that legislators have to raise public awareness and bend the arc of public health toward good. He said that HCR 4 would establish May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. He added that HCR 4 would increase public awareness of the disease, encourage more knowledge in medical professions, encourage people to receive treatment sooner, and bring hope to many patients. 4:54:49 PM CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony on HCR 4. 4:55:16 PM LAURA BOLDEN, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4. She described her personal experience with Myositis, as well as the variety of ways this disease can affect different people. She listed some of the early symptoms of Myositis, many of which are mistaken for aging. She emphasized that diagnosing Myositis is difficult because it is rare and doctors do not have much knowledge or experience of the disease. She added that her diagnosis resulted after 3 years of initial appointments. She stated that there is no cure but there are ways to make her life easier. She urged the committee to support HCR 4. 4:59:04 PM CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HCR 4. 4:59:12 PM DOMINIQUE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4. He began by describing his family's experience with Myositis, as their daughter was diagnosed with the disease at four years old. He said that Juvenile Myositis (JM) is a rare autoimmune disease which affects about 1 in 5,000 children. 5:00:09 PM CHRISTINE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4. She described the extensive medical tests and treatments that her daughter has received since her diagnosis. She said that her daughter has experienced more days of fatigue and discomfort than any child should. She emphasized that education and awareness are essential. MR. JOHNSON continued reading testimony. He said that his family found hope with the JM Foundation, which has brought together people affected by the disease. He said that with more awareness, there can be more understanding and help for families like his. He emphasized the good that establishing a Myositis Awareness Month would do, including sending the message to children and families that they are not alone with this disease. 5:03:07 PM ADDI JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4. She described the physical symptoms of her JM and the treatment she receives. She asked the committee to support HCR 4. 5:03:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked the Johnson family to share information regarding their experience with insurance coverage and Myositis. 5:04:48 PM CHAIR MINA, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 4. 5:04:52 PM The committee took an at-ease from 5:04 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. 5:05:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said that he wants to ensure that this information gets out to those in medical communities. 5:06:39 PM REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report HCR 4 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCR 4 was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.