The Secretary shall establish pilot projects to—

(1) increase public and medical community awareness (particularly of those who treat patients with diabetes and hypertension) regarding chronic kidney disease, focusing on prevention;

(2) increase screening for chronic kidney disease, focusing on Medicare beneficiaries at risk of chronic kidney disease; and

(3) enhance surveillance systems to better assess the prevalence and incidence of chronic kidney disease.

The Secretary shall select at least 3 States in which to conduct pilot projects under this section.

(1) Scope The Secretary shall select at least 3 States in which to conduct pilot projects under this section.

(2) Duration The pilot projects under this section shall be conducted for a period that is not longer than 5 years and shall begin on January 1, 2009.

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects conducted under this section. Not later than 12 months after the date on which the pilot projects are completed, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out this section.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399R, as added Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 152(a), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2551.)