Bill > HR4661

This resolution encourages continued evaluation of screening methods to find individuals with chronic kidney disease, especially in rural and underserved areas, and urges the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to work with public and private partners to educate people and healthcare providers about the importance of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio screening, which can detect early kidney damage that other tests might miss. It also calls on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid, to update its recommendations to improve access to comprehensive screening for kidney and heart health for at-risk Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, ensuring that this screening leads to better patient care through strong quality measurement and incentives. The resolution highlights that chronic kidney disease affects millions of Americans, often goes undiagnosed, and significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems, leading to substantial healthcare costs for programs like Medicare and Medicaid.