SJ0049 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0049 LRB101 14896 MST 63974 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Chronic Kidney Disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States; an estimated 31 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease; over 1.12 million people in the State of Illinois are living with the disease; early chronic kidney disease has no signs or symptoms and, without early detection, can progress to kidney failure; and

WHEREAS, If a person has high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of kidney failure, the risk of kidney disease is greater; in Illinois, 13% of all adults have diabetes, and 32% have high blood pressure; the prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension is higher for African Americans, who develop kidney failure at a rate of nearly 4 to 1 compared to Caucasians, while Hispanics develop kidney failure at a rate of 2 to 1; almost half of the people waiting for a kidney in Illinois identify as African American, but, in 2017, less than 10% of them received a kidney; and

WHEREAS, Although dialysis is a life-extending treatment, the best and most cost effective treatment for kidney failure is a kidney transplant; currently, the wait in Illinois for a deceased donor kidney is 5-7 years, and, everyday, 13 people die while waiting; and

WHEREAS, If chronic kidney disease is detected early and managed appropriately, the individual can receive treatment sooner to help protect the kidneys, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped, and the risk of associated cardiovascular complications and other complications can be reduced; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force is created to work directly with educational institutions to create health education programs to increase awareness of and to examine chronic kidney disease, transplantations, living and deceased kidney donation, and the existing disparity in the rates of those afflicted between Caucasians and minorities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force will also be expected to develop a sustainable plan to raise awareness about early detection, promote health equity, and reduce the burden of kidney disease throughout the State, which should include an ongoing campaign that would include health education workshops and seminars, relevant research, and preventative screenings, and promote social media campaigns and TV and radio commercials; and be it further

RESOLVED, That membership of the Task Force shall be as follows:

(1) One member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President, who shall serve as Co-Chair;

(2) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve as Co-Chair;

(3) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House;

(4) One member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(5) One member representing the Department of Public Health, appointed by the Governor;

(6) One member representing the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, appointed by the Governor;

(7) One member representing a medical center in a county with a population of more 3 million residents, appointed by the Co-Chairs;

(8) One member representing a physician's association in a county with a population of more than 3 million residents, appointed by the Co-Chairs;

(9) One member representing a not-for-profit organ procurement organization, appointed by the Co-Chairs;

(10) One member representing a national non-profit research kidney organization in the State of Illinois, appointed by the Co-Chairs; and

(11) The Secretary of State or his or her designee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Health shall provide administrative support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2020 and, upon the filing of its final report, is dissolved.