HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Boggs, DeLong, Frederick, Hrutkay, Leach, Longstreth,
Marshall, Miley, Moore, Pino, Susman, Tucker, Webster, Ashley, Border, Hall, Lane, Rowan,
Schadler, Sumner and Wakim)
(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)
[February 17, 2005]
Encouraging the Bureau for Public Health to develop a plan for identifying chronic kidney disease
in the early stages and evaluating and managing persons with chronic kidney disease and to
circulate to physicians and other health care providers the generally accepted standards
regarding clinical care for the early identification of chronic kidney disease and clinical
management of persons at the highest risk for the disease.
Whereas, Chronic kidney disease is a debilitating condition that affects one in nine, or 20
million Americans; and
Whereas, This disease progresses in five identifiable stages from minor or moderate loss
of kidney function to kidney failure where the body can no longer process certain toxins or properly
regulate blood pressure or critical nutrients; and
Whereas, In Stage Five of the disease, end-stage renal failure, the patient must undergo
dialysis several times a week or receive a kidney transplant; and
Whereas, According to the most recent report from the United States Renal Data System
Annual Report, diabetics suffer from chronic kidney disease at five times the overall rate of chronic
kidney disease in the United States; and
Whereas, Persons over age
65 develop advanced kidney failure at nearly three times the rate
of those younger than age
65; and
Whereas, Persons over age
65 make up approximately 15% of the population of West
Virginia, but 54% of those starting dialysis in 2003; and
Whereas, Individuals with diabetes account for 6.3% of the population, but 51% of new
dialysis patients; and
Whereas, Estimates indicate that approximately 60,000 West Virginians are likely to have
moderate to severe kidney insufficiency; and
Whereas, Chronic kidney disease is projected to cost $20 billion for the national health care
system by the year 2010; and
Whereas, Following years of research, clinicians now have a simple and cost-effective
means of identification and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in its early stages and its associated
morbidities, including cardiovascular disease; and
Whereas, Evidence-based clinical guidelines developed by scientists and experts in the field
of kidney disease and published in numerous peer-reviewed journals could save the lives of countless
West Virginians; and
Whereas, Identification of chronic kidney disease and treatment of the various associated
morbidities in their early stages will improve patient quality of life, delay the onset of end-stage renal
failure, and reduce health care expenditures; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature strongly encourage the Department of Health and Human Resources to
work collaboratively with health care providers and consumer advocates throughout the State of
West Virginia in the fight against chronic kidney disease; and, be it
Further Resolved, That
the Legislature strongly encourage the Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a plan
for early identification, evaluation and management of patients with chronic kidney disease; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature strongly encourage the Department of Health and
Human Resources to prepare information for physicians and other health care providers regarding generally accepted guidelines of clinical care in the early identification and clinical management of
individuals at the highest risk for chronic kidney disease; and, be it
Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of Health and
Human Resources.
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