Washington, Aug. 3 -- Rep. Joe Wilson issued the following press release:

Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), introduced the PREVENT ESRD Act. The Legislation establishes a program to encourage health plans to invest in earlier detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease before patients develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Under the bill, participating health plans would improve access to kidney screenings, medications, nutrition services, care coordination, and other preventive treatments while reducing or eliminating patient cost-sharing for key kidney care services. These investments should successfully slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce Medicare spending, while saving lives.

The legislation has been endorsed by t...