Res. No. 957

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature and/or the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to require nursing homes to provide equipment for persons who weigh four hundred pounds or more.

By Council Members Sanders Jr., Quinn, Barron, Brewer, Comrie, Gennaro, Koppell, Liu, Nelson, Stewart and Weprin

Whereas, According to the American Medical Association, obesity is the fastest-growing major health problem in the United States; and

Whereas, Obesity is a complex, multi-faceted chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components; and

Whereas, Clinical guidelines from the National Institutes of Health define obesity as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 30; and

Whereas, According to the American Obesity Association, nearly one third of adults in the United States are obese; and

Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, more than half (53%) of New York City adults - 2.8 million people - are overweight or obese; and

Whereas, According to a survey by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Education, it is estimated that nearly half of New York City children are overweight or obese; and

Whereas, Obesity is a known risk factor for numerous illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, breathing problems and some forms of cancer; and

Whereas, Nursing homes in New York State provide nursing care to sick, invalid, infirm, disabled, or convalescent persons, as well as, lodging, board and health related services; and

Whereas, These nursing homes, however, may not be sufficiently prepared to assist obese New Yorkers; and

Whereas, Severely overweight people cannot fit into standard wheelchairs, waiting room armchairs, blood pressure cuffs, hospital beds and gowns, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed axial tomography (CAT) scan machines; and

Whereas, Insufficient equipment at nursing homes provides a barrier to care and safety for both residents and staff; and

Whereas, Neither state law nor regulations currently require nursing homes to provide equipment capable of serving severely overweight persons; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature and/or the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to require nursing homes to provide equipment for persons who weigh four hundred pounds or more.

JLA

LS# 2614

5/4/05