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Resolution
Supporting the University
Health System, Texas Diabetes Institute
WHEREAS, LULAC founded in 1929,
is the largest and oldest Latino organization in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, LULAC
was founded in the principles of justice and
equality for all and for protection of the
Latinos; and
WHEREAS, LULAC
has fought continuously for healthcare for the
Latinos; and
WHEREAS, the
University Health System is the county tax
supported health district committed to meeting
the health related needs of the community of
Bexar County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, the
Texas Diabetes Institute has a long standing
history of providing diabetes patients with
quality services by nationally renowned diabetes
experts and providers; and
WHEREAS, 17
million Americans are afflicted with diabetes
with 1.2 million residing in the state of Texas;
and
WHEREAS,
diabetes is the leading cause of End Stage Renal
Disease (kidney failure), accounting for 43% of
new cases, and among people with diabetes,
Mexican Americans are 4.5 to 6.6 time more
likely to suffer from end stage renal disease;
and
WHEREAS, more
than 300,000 Americans live and struggle with
end stage renal disease, with approximately 10%
or 30,000 living in the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, it is
estimated that the total number of end stage
renal disease patients in the U.S. will reach
600,000 by the year 2010; and
WHEREAS,
patients with end stage renal disease must
receive renal replacement therapy in the form of
dialysis: and
WHEREAS, end
stage renal disease Medicare expenditures have
increased from $5.7 billion in 1991, $8.1
billion in 1995, and approximately $17 billion
in 1992; and
WHEREAS, the
Health System and the Texas Diabetes Institute
are continuously seeking through research,
treatment and education, to improve the lives of
those afflicted with diabetes and end stage
renal disease; and
WHEREAS, the
Health System and the Texas Diabetes Institute’s
Dialysis West Renal Clinic undertook a research
project that has demonstrated that daily
dialysis treatment improve patients’ quality of
life, reduce hospitalizations, and associated
pharmaceutical costs; and
WHEREAS, the
medical status of daily dialysis patients’ are
improved as they pertain to hypertension,
diabetes and anemia; and
WHEREAS, the
Health System and the Texas Diabetes Institute
continue to conduct the daily dialysis project
irregardless of the lack of external financial
resources.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the League of United
Latin American Citizens at its Annual National
Convention held in San Antonio, Texas on this 10th
day of July 2004, endorses the Daily Dialysis
Act and commends the University Health System
and the Texas Diabetes Institute for its efforts
to continuously enhance the provision of health
services and improve the quality of life of
patients in Bexar County and beyond.
Submitted by Luis R. Vera,
President, Council No. 4625.
Adopted this 10th day of July
2004.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
