10 LC
94 2187
Senate
Resolution 1019
By:
Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Hawkins of the 49th, Thomas of the 54th, Goggans of
the 7th, Unterman of the 45th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
Dialysis Patient Citizens and recognizing March 3, 2010, as Georgia Dialysis Day
at the state capitol; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
approximately 14,000 Georgia residents suffer from end stage renal disease,
also known as kidney failure, and rely on dialysis to function; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia ranks ninth nationally in end stage renal disease incidence and
prevalence; and
WHEREAS,
the most common causes of kidney disease in Georgia are uncontrolled high blood
pressure, at 38 percent, and complications from poorly managed diabetes, at 35
percent; and
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia has experienced a 51 percent increase in new end stage
renal disease cases from 1997 to 2006 and a 58 percent increase in individuals
living with end stage renal disease in the same time period; and
WHEREAS,
there are over 72,000 patients waiting for kidney transplants in the United
States; and
WHEREAS,
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, so most patients must remain on dialysis for the remainder of
their lives; and
WHEREAS,
access to medical care such as dialysis services, kidney transplantation, and
necessary medications for end stage renal disease patients is critical for
saving lives and enhancing patients' quality of life; and
WHEREAS,
most end stage renal disease patients rely on medicare for their health care
needs, but it does not cover 100 percent of their costs of care, and
approximately 2,000 end stage renal disease patients in Georgia lack any type of
secondary insurance coverage to help meet the costs of care not covered by
medicare; and
WHEREAS,
providing access to Medigap secondary coverage for these patients will not only
significantly enhance quality of life, it will also substantially reduce health
care expenditures for the Georgia Medicaid program, taxpayers, and
patients.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
Dialysis Patient Citizens for its responsible leadership and commitment to the
citizens of Georgia and recognize March 3, 2010, as Georgia Dialysis Day at the
state capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dialysis Patient Citizens.