In 2017, I had a heart attack, stroke, and was diagnosed with kidney failure. I soon began dialysis, the only treatment besides a transplant for kidney failure.
Thankfully, I received a transplant more than three years ago. I may be post-transplant, but I know many who are still on dialysis, including my mother. My sisters and I have been caring for her through her dialysis journey. We couldn’t imagine our mother going through this alone. Yet, many patients don’t have support systems. That’s why we need a system that’s fair and forward-looking, one that doesn’t abandon patients. That’s why I’m advocating for the passage of the Kidney Care Access Protection Act in Congress. It won’t fix everything, but it’s a step in the right direction. If passed, it would help ensure that new, innovative treatments for dialysis patients, like medications for anemia, phosphorus, pruritus, and infection prevention remain fully covered after Medicare’s current short-term payment pathways expire. That would be one less thing to worry about for patients already struggling with dialysis. And for patients who still rely on dialysis clinics, the bill would help those centers get fairer payments from Medicare so they can afford better staffing and services. I urge Congress to support the Kidney Care Access Protection Act and stand with Ohioans who live with kidney disease.
Porothea Dennis, Dayton, Ohio
