HR0952 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0952 LRB095 16413 GRL 42438 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Healthy kidneys are essential to regulate the body, to remove fluids, waste, toxins, and drugs introduced to the body, to release hormones that regulate blood pressure, to make red blood cells, and to promote strong bones; and

WHEREAS, Chronic kidney disease permanently damages the kidneys and prevents them from carrying out necessary functions that keep the body healthy; when undetected, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, which can only be treated with lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant; and

WHEREAS, More that 650,000 Illinoisans, about one in nine adults, suffer from chronic kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases; and

WHEREAS, Scientific evidence has also shown that obesity triples the risk of developing chronic kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, Family history and ethnicity serve as additional risks for developing chronic kidney disease; African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans have a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, The cost of treatment for kidney disease patients is disproportionately higher than that for any other chronic disease; estimates show that the annual cost of treating kidney failure in the United States is expected to increase from $16 billion per year in 2007 to $38 billion by 2010; and

WHEREAS, Early detection methods, including regular reporting of glomerular filtration rate, which is currently the indication of kidney disease staging, can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the General Assembly strongly encourages care providers, consumer advocates, patient groups, and other stakeholders throughout the State to work collaboratively in the fight against chronic kidney disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the month of March be designated as Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness month in the State of Illinois, and that citizens be encouraged to become aware of the causes of chronic kidney disease, its risk factors, and its contributing health problems during that month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be given to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Public Health.