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DPC Supports the Equal Access to Medicare Options Act of 2009
Senator Kerry introduced legislation that would allow dialysis patients under 65 the choice to purchase Medigap plans or participate in Medicare Advantage plans.
Read DPC’s letter thanking Senator Kerry for introducing this legislation.
Dialysis Patients and Health Reform
While Congress continues to work on health care reform, DPC is working to ensure steps toward providing equality for ESRD patients within the Medicare system are included. As patients you know there are high costs associated with paying for treatment of ESRD that are felt by both the government and you. DPC is urging Congress to consider measures to improve quality kidney care and reduce costs. We hope health care reform will address kidney patients’ needs by:
- Providing patients with a choice to maintain their private insurance as their primary payer;
- Offering equal access to coverage options under Medicare, like Medigap plans;
- Improving the delivery system for ESRD treatment through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs); and
- Extending coverage of immunosuppressant medications as a mutually beneficial plan for patients and for the government.
- Eliminating Lifetime and Annual Caps on insurance plans
- Removing barriers for people with pre-existing conditions from obtaining insurance coverage
Read more about what kidney patients want in health reform.
Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage
Earlier this year, Dialysis Patient Citizens’ (DPC) membership declared their top advocacy priority was obtaining lifetime immunosuppressive drug coverage for kidney transplant patients. As a result, DPC, along with numerous other organizations, is working to ensure that Congress includes the Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2009 (HR 1458/S 565) in their final health care package.
Currently Medicare ESRD beneficiaries who receive a kidney transplant are only provided immunosuppressive drugs under Medicare Part B for the first thirty-six months. Following thirty-six months, patients are responsible for paying for the immunosuppressive drugs on their own—often difficult for patients. HR 1458/S 565 would ensure that kidney transplant patients continue to receive the needed immunosuppressive drugs for the lifetime of their kidney. This coverage could help reduce the number of patients losing their kidney transplants and returning to dialysis.
You can help! We are currently working to increase the number of co-sponsors and create momentum around this issue. Please take a moment to contact your members of Congress and ask them to become a co-sponsor of Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2009 (HR 1458/S 565).
Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage
DPC joins the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)
To ensure the needs of patients with chronic kidney disease are better served and their voices heard more prominently, DPC has joined the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Recently, we have accompanied many other members of PFCD in signing on to letters to federal lawmakers about policies that can help Americans better prevent and manage chronic disease.
Read the PFCD letters to Congress:
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Letter to the U.S. Senate
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Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives
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Comments supporting the Framework for Comprehensive Health Reform
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Letter to the House Tri Committee Leadership
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Implementation of the "ESRD Bundle"
Kidney patient organizations were successful in their united request for the CMS to hold a public meeting – allowing patients to speak – on the new, proposed changes to Medicare payment for ESRD patients care. On September 15, 2009 CMS released their proposal for a new bundled payment system for dialysis care. On October 23, 2009 CMS held a Town Hall meeting allowing Patient organizations and individual patients the opportunity to have their concerns heard before CMS issues a final rule on the new payment system. Learn more about the proposed ESRD bundled payment system.
House and Senate Override Presidential Veto to Pass Medicare Bill with Landmark ESRD Reform!
July 15, 2008 both the House and Senate overrode the President’s Veto of HR 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). With this historic vote, Congress ensured that kidney patients would receive additional, needed education about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and that there would be an updated payment system for dialysis treatments. Read More>>
What can you do to help ensure quality access to kidney care for all patients?
- DPC and the kidney care community will work with the 111th Congress to ensure that the provisions passed last year are implemented and to ensure that the dialysis patients’ voice is heard on important issues facing the community. Please take a minute to email your Members of Congress and ask them to support kidney care and dialysis patients. Email Congress
- Many kidney care reforms will take place at the state level of government, so it's important to start educating your state legislators about kidney disease. Email your state legislators
- Learn about Public Policy issues that impact kidney care.
Thank you for letting your voice be heard!
DPC is working hard to provide a voice for all dialysis patients. Learn why it is important that your concerns be heard on capitol Hill. You can make a difference. |
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