Kidney Disease Treatment and Prevention Act

Kidney Disease Treatment and Prevention Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide financial support through grants to public and other nonprofit schools of medicine, hospitals, agencies, and insitutions to assist in the establishment and operation of cooperative and community prevention and treatment programs for patients with kidney diseases and for training related to such programs.

Authorizes to be appropriated the sums of $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $20,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year until and including fiscal year 1978 to enable the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Provides that the Secretary shall, after consultation with the National Advisory Committee on Kidney Disease Programs (established under this Act), prescribe general regulations and guidelines concerning: (1) eligibility of public or nonprofit agencies, institutions, or organizations for grants under this Act; (2) determination of costs with respect to which such grants may be made; (3) the terms and conditions under which such grants shall be made; and (4) the assurance that all grants are coordinated with any existing regional plan for a kidney disease program in a particular area.

Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the Office of Kidney Centers for the purpose of administering this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a Director and such additional personnel as are required to perform the responsibilities specified in this Act. Provides that such Office shall assist in establishing kidney center programs, including local community dialysis units.

Provides that amounts of any grant for such centers shall include: (1) 100 percent of the costs directly related to the training of physicians, staff members, patients, and their familities; (2) 100 percent of the costs for construction or renovation of existing facilities and for the necessary equipment to establish a kidney center; (3) 60 to 90 percent of the costs for construction or renovation of existing facilities and for the necessary equipment to establish a community dialysis unit; and (4) 90 percent in the first year of full operation, 60 percent in the second year, and 30 percent in the third year and thereafter of the operation and maintenance costs of such centers and dialysis units.

Authorizes a National Advisory Committee on Kidney Disease Programs which shall consist of four members currently in Government service and eight members, not employees of the United States, appointed by the Secretary, who are leaders in the fields of the basic medical sciences related to kidney disease, kidney disease diagnosis and treatment, community health programs, or public affairs. Sets forth the terms of office and the rates of compensation of the members of the Committee.

Provides that the Committee shall advise and assist the Secretary in the preparation of regulations for, and as to policy matters arising with respect to, the administration of this Act insofar as it pertains to kidney disease, or the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients suffering from such diseases.

Authorizes the Secretary to establish and carry out a program of assistance under which payments will made to or on behalf of individuals who suffer from chronic renal disease and requires hemodialysis or other lifesaving care and treatment for any part of the costs of such treatment which they are unable to pay.

Authorizes to be appropriated for such a program the sum of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $25,000,000 for each of the four succeeding fiscal years.