07 LC 18
6062
House
Resolution 143
By:
Representatives Cooper of the
41st,
Channell of the
116th,
Lane of the
158th,
Walker of the
107th,
and Millar of the
79th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the Georgia Renal Coalition and proclaiming January 31, 2007, "Georgia Dialysis
Day" at the state capitol; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
approximately 12,593 Georgia residents rely on dialysis services to function for
failed kidneys; and
WHEREAS,
African Americans make up 70 percent of those relying on dialysis as life
sustaining treatment and 58 percent of new patients starting dialysis in Georgia
during 2005; and
WHEREAS,
39 percent of Georgia kidney failure patients suffer from diabetes and 35
percent suffer from high blood pressure; and
WHEREAS,
there are over 69,000 patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the United
States and 1,534 of these patients live in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
transplantation is severely limited due to the shortage of suitable donors,
organ transplant rejection, and the age and health of many end stage renal
disease patients; most patients must remain on dialysis for the remainder of
their lives; and
WHEREAS,
there is no coordinated effort between federal and state governments, health
care professionals, dialysis providers, educators, and patient advocates to
develop programs to identify members of high risk populations and implement
programs to improve the management of chronic kidney disease and slow the
progression to end stage renal disease; and
WHEREAS,
the Medicaid dialysis treatment rate in Georgia only covers about 74 percent of
the costs of providing dialysis treatment and most end stage renal disease
patients rely on medicare and medicaid for their health care needs;
and
WHEREAS, early intervention strategies can successfully delay or prevent dialysis dependence in the chronic kidney disease population; and
WHEREAS, early intervention strategies can successfully delay or prevent dialysis dependence in the chronic kidney disease population; and
WHEREAS,
delaying the need for dialysis will not only significantly enhance quality of
life, it will also significantly reduce health care expenditures by the medicare
and medicaid programs, private insurers, and the patients
themselves.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in commending the Georgia Renal Coalition for its responsible
leadership and commitment to the citizens of Georgia and proclaim January 31,
2007, as "Georgia Dialysis Day" at the state capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia
Renal Coalition.