Utah Legislature Defeats Bill for Kidney Health Task Force

The Utah House of Representatives voted down proposed legislation, HB 142, which aimed to establish a government-sponsored Kidney Health Task Force to improve kidney health for all Utahns.

H.B. 142 Kidney Health Task Force

Rep. Mark Wheatley, a Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease patient who sponsored the bill, H.B. 142 Kidney Health Task Force, which would create a Kidney Health Task Force that would:

"...provide recommendations on how to improve kidney health in Utah."

He expressed his disappointment that the bill did not advance. He highlighted that the bill had passed Committee 11 to 1 with no objections.

Opposition to the Bill

Opponents of the bill, including Rep. Norm Thurston, argued that creating another task force would not necessarily address the kidney health issue, and the administrative burden on the governor’s office would increase. Thurston suggested that people could already meet, find solutions, and work together to address the issue.

Thurston also said during the House session that he didn’t think a government-sponsored Kidney Health Task Force would accomplish its goal of fully addressing the kidney health of all Utahns.

“I appreciate the intent. I appreciate the seriousness of the issue. But I also resist the idea that creating another task force is going to make any difference. If people wanted to meet and find solutions and get together and work this issue, they already can, and they already have.” - Rep. Norm Thurston

Support for the Bill

Wheatley, on the other hand, believed that a government-sponsored task force would have the necessary credibility to make a significant impact. He argued that involving the state adds legitimacy to the task force and demonstrates a commitment to combat the disease.

In his text response to St. George News following the bill’s defeat, Wheatley added that he

“had a conversation with the director of Legislative Research and General Counsel [John Cannon] and he said a task force would have minimal impact on staff.”

Cost of the Proposed Legislation

The proposed legislation would have incurred costs for the Senate and House of Representatives and the Department of Health and Human Services. According to the HB142 Fiscal Note, enactment of this legislation could cost the Senate and House of Representatives $2,400 each from the General Fund ongoing beginning in FY 2024 for compensation of legislators on the Kidney Health Task Force. Enactment could also cost the Department of Health and Human Services $4,200 ongoing from the General Fund ongoing beginning in FY 2024 for per diem, travel expenses, and staff costs for the Kidney Health Task Force.

Impact

The defeat of the bill means that Utahns who suffer from kidney disease will not benefit from a state-sponsored Kidney Health Task Force that would make recommendations on how to improve kidney health in Utah. To watch the full House discussion and vote, click here.

Related Articles

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

What is Dialysis?

References

Utah Kidney Health Task Force bill sponsor ‘very disappointed’ after House votes down legislation.

H.B. 142 Kidney Health Task Force

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‍About the Author

Rich Foreman brings over 30 years of technology leadership to his role of CEO and Co-Founder of KidneySoft.  As founding CTO, Rich led the team that developed the CordicoShield / CordicoFire Wellness App. Cordico was honored with the Sacramento Innovation Award in 2021. After achieving a 7 digit ARR, Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020. Rich has a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington, an MPA from Troy State University and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. Rich co-authored his book, "Tap into the Mobile Economy." Rich's blog was listed in Top 20 Marketing Mobile Blogs of 2014. He has been featured on KCRA3, NEWS10, 1170 Tech AM PowerDrive, Business Radio Money 105.5, SiliconIndia, the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee. Rich is also the Founding Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Startup Grind and served a term as Utility Commissioner for the City of Folsom. Rich is a regular contributor to TechWire.net and StartupSac. Rich was the Co-founder of Apptology which was named Small Business of the Year in 2014 by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber. He was also the Founding Chief Technology Officer at Cordico. Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020.  Rich also served 4 years as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

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