Lawmakers rally to support CKD bill

U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie spoke at the "Rally for Life" at the Capitol today in support of measures related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that are going through the final stages of the legislative process.

Lawmakers and advocates of HB 2913, a bill that would provide a grant to St. Francis Healthcare System to support the modified home care and community health demonstration project and requires $1,000,000 in matching funds, gathered in the Rotunda to raise awareness about CKD, an epidemic that already affects nearly 20 percent of Hawaii's population.

The rally was sponsored by the Filipino Caucus and hosted by chairman Rep. Michael Magaoay.

Update: HB2913 is dead, but funds for chronic kidney disease may still be alive in the budget bill through a grant-in-aid. The AP story is here.