SCR 16-CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH  9:43:44 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that SCR 16 was before the committee, a resolution which designates May 2012 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, sponsor of SCR 16, introduced the bill. She informed the committee about gluten and celiac disease, which is caused by a reaction to gluten. It is estimated that over 5,000 Alaskans are affected by gluten intolerance. She listed foods in which gluten is contained. SENATOR GIESSEL listed the symptoms of celiac disease which is genetic and has no known cure. Once identified, a person must eat a strict gluten-free diet. 9:45:20 AM TERESA NEENO, Physician, Allergy Asthma and Immunity Center of Alaska, testified in support of SCR 16. She explained that an increased awareness of the symptoms of celiac disease should help decrease the time it usually takes to diagnose the disease, which can be from 5 to 10 years. She addressed the care for celiac disease. SENATOR PASKVAN referred to page 2, line 25, the term "misdiagnosis" and asked for clarity. DR. NEENO explained that the public has a great deal of misinformation related to food allergies and intolerances. The symptoms of celiac disease are vague and it is difficult to correlate the symptoms with the disease and the consumption of wheat. It is an autoimmune disease and therefore there are GI tract issues. 9:49:55 AM SENATOR PASKVAN wanted clarification of "misdiagnosis." DR. NEENO explained that the symptoms can be confusing. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked how a person is tested for the disease. DR. NEENO said that a blood test is required. A genetic study can also be done. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there was an increase in the number of cases. DR. NEENO said not necessarily. She shared that 1 in 133 in the U.S. have been identified to have the disease; in Alaska, less have been identified. SENATOR PASKVAN asked what the cost of the blood test is and if it is covered by insurance. DR. NEENO did not know the cost, but thought it was covered by insurance as part of a diagnostic workup. 9:53:10 AM SENATOR MEYER asked how information about the disease is made available. He also wanted to know what foods can be eaten. SENATOR GIESSEL said that people do not generally know about this disease. There is a need for dispersing information. The point of the resolution is to increase awareness. SENATOR GIESSEL addressed the question about what foods can be eaten. She stressed that processed foods are bad. Whole foods and raw foods are ok, as is protein. Very few grains can be consumed. Parents have a hard time providing food for children with the disease. SENATOR MEYER suggested keying the food pyramid with a notice about celiac disease. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI commented that rice and potatoes would be fine to eat. SENATOR PASKVAN agreed that public awareness was an important issue. He applied the national statistics of 1 out of 133 having celiac disease to a school setting and emphasized the need to heighten awareness in schools. He mentioned the cost of $5,000 to $12,000 per year due to celiac disease and suggested early diagnosis. 9:58:51 AM SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report SCR 16, version M, from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objections, SCR 16 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.