07 LC
96 2114
Senate
Resolution 94
By:
Senators Williams of the 19th, Chance of the 16th, Douglas of the 17th, Staton
of the 18th, Thomas of the 54th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the Georgia Renal Coalition and recognizing January 31, 2007, as "Georgia
Dialysis Day" in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
approximately 12,600 Georgia residents suffer from kidney failure and rely on
dialysis services to function; and
WHEREAS,
African Americans make up 70 percent of those relying on dialysis as life
sustaining treatment and made up 58 percent of new patients starting dialysis in
Georgia in 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 kidney transplants in the United
States, and 1,534 of these patients live in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
because kidney transplantation is severely limited due to a 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,
Medicaid 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 for those with chronic kidney disease; and
WHEREAS, early intervention strategies can successfully delay or prevent dialysis dependence for those with chronic kidney disease; and
WHEREAS,
delaying the need for dialysis will not only significantly enhance quality of
life, it will also significantly reduce health care expenditures for the
medicare and Medicaid programs, private insurers, and patients.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in
commending the Georgia Renal Coalition for its responsible leadership and
commitment to the citizens of Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body hereby recognize January 31,
2007, as "Georgia Dialysis Day" in the State of Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Renal
Coalition.