Kidney cancer survivor backs bill that would create Utah’s 1st Kidney Health Task Force

For illustrative purposes only | Photo by Davizro, iStock / Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Proposed legislation that has the potential to positively impact kidney health for all Utahns is being sponsored by a lawmaker who has firsthand experience with renal health challenges.

Rep. Mark Wheatley is sponsoring House Bill 142, which would result in the formation of a Kidney Health Task Force | Photo courtesy of Utah House of Representatives, St. George News

Rep. Mark Wheatley, D-District 35, is sponsoring a bill, officially designated HB 142 in the 2023 Utah Legislature, which, if passed, would establish the first-ever Kidney Health Task Force in Utah. Wheatley is all too familiar with the challenges that come with kidney issues; he’s been through bouts of kidney stones and survived kidney removal in 2016 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer.

“Approximately 1 in 7 Utahns have kidney disease and a lot of those individuals aren’t aware they have kidney disease,” Wheatley told St. George News. “In Utah, we have the highest mortality rate of any of the Western states.”

In Southern Utah, residents might find themselves more susceptible to renal challenges as a result of the arid climate and higher temperatures.

“People just don’t realize they are dehydrated,” Wheatley said. “So many people just don’t drink enough water. It’s a heavy factor contributing to kidney stones.”

If the bill passes, it would result in the formation of the Kidney Health Task Force, which would:

  • Study issues related to kidney disease, including higher rates of the disease in minority populations, transplantation and living and deceased kidney donation.
  • Provide recommendations for programs that treat kidney disease, detect kidney disease in early stages of the disease and reduce the burden of kidney disease on patients and communities.
  • Implement outreach and marketing campaign that includes health education workshops and seminars, preventative screenings, a social media campaign and television and radio commercials.

Wheatley said the task force would be comprised of health care professionals and organizations, specifically at least one nephrologist and those who experience kidney issues.

“Sometimes they are the best people to educate other people, especially family members,” Wheatley said of patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “9 out of 10 people with early kidney disease don’t know they have it because it usually has no symptoms until the late stages. Simple blood and urine tests can tell how well the kidneys are working.”

Additionally, the CDC defines chronic kidney disease as follows:

When people develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), their kidneys become damaged and over time may not clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys. If kidneys do not work well, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in the body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death. However, people with CKD and people at risk for CKD can take steps to protect their kidneys with the help of their health care providers.

Wheatley said he credits kidney transplant recipient Bruce Tippetts of Vernal, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as a “kidney advocate,” for providing the impetus for HB 142. Tippetts had approached Wheatley several years ago and “asked if I would support kidney legislation.”

Wheatley said the response has been “very positive from individuals who are aware of the bill.”

“I also have organizations assisting me like the Utah Diabetes Coalition, Intermountain Healthcare, Donor Connect, Imagine Health and the National Kidney Foundation,” he said. “And some of those organizations will come and testify when it’s assigned to a committee.”

First reading of the bill occurred Jan. 17, and it went to the House Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 19.


Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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