To Whom It May Concern,
Like many patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – or kidney failure – my diagnosis came as a shock.
About a decade ago, I went to my doctor feeling ill. I discovered that my kidneys were failing and I had to get on dialysis, the costly but life-saving treatment which replaces my kidney function. I have been on dialysis ever since.
My healthcare journey has been difficult, and many ESRD patients like me deal with financial challenges as a result of the diagnosis, too.
I did not have health insurance upon beginning dialysis, so I enrolled in Medicare, which only covers 80% of the cost.
ESRD patients who do have private insurance still endure economic hardships, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision allowing private health insurers to discriminate against dialysis patients.
That decision allows insurers to force new dialysis patients onto Medicare almost immediately.
This can reduce the quality of care and leave patients to pay the remaining 20% of treatment costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
This financial burden can force many patients into debt and even bankruptcy.
Therefore, Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV) must support the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, a bill which would ease the suffering of patients left out to dry by private insurance companies.
Nobody should have to worry about being kicked off their insurance as a result of a diagnosis.
Chuck Lizer, Winnemucca, Nevada
