fbpx
FacebookXYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

Detroit, MI Dialysis Patient Quiana Bishop Elected as Dialysis Patient Citizens Board of Directors President

2025-10-02T18:03:17+00:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: About DPC, Board Members, News, Press Release|

Washington, DC (October 01, 2025) -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the leading advocacy organization for dialysis patients nationwide, is pleased to announce the election of Quiana Bishop of Detroit, Michigan, to serve as President of the Board of Directors. Previously, Ms. Bishop served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for DPC. “Joining the Board of Directors at Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) changed my life. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a patient - I was a voice, a leader, and an advocate,” said Ms. Bishop. “Through DPC, I’ve been able to share my story with lawmakers and help push for better [...]

Read More

Support S. 2730 – The Kidney Care Access Protection Act

2025-09-23T17:46:01+00:00September 23rd, 2025|Categories: Advance Patient Choice, Article, Improve Access to Care, Increase Quality of Care, News, Promote Financial Security, Take Action|

In early September, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced The Kidney Care Access Protection Act (S. 2730) which would strengthen Medicare’s kidney care benefits by ensuring fair reimbursement for and access to quality care. This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by Kidney Care Partners, the American Kidney Fund, Dialysis Patient Citizens, and the Renal Support Network (RSN). Specifically, this bill would establish a long-term, sustainable Medicare payment pathway for innovative drugs, devices, and technologies. It would also implement a forecast error adjustment policy that accurately accounts for inflationary costs to help keep healthcare facilities financially viable. [...]

Read More

DPC Comment Letter to CMS Recounts Heartbreaking Story of Rural Dialysis Clinic Closure

2025-08-28T13:48:55+00:00August 28th, 2025|Categories: Comment Letter, Dialysis Funding, Improve Access to Care, Innovation, Policy Issues, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, Quality Incentive Program, Staffing Shortages, Treatment Options|

DPC has submitted its comments responding to this year’s Medicare ESRD Payment Rule. The Medicare agency is proposing a payment update of only 1.9%, which doesn’t keep pace with increasing costs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.6 percent for the 12-month period ending in June, while inflation was 2.7%. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recently reported that dialysis clinics’ Medicare margin was –1.1 percent in 2022 and –0.2 percent in 2023. They project a 2025 FFS Medicare margin of 0 percent. The comment letter brought officials’ attention to the story of a [...]

Read More

DPC’s Letter to Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, on ESRD Prospective Payment System

2025-09-11T17:44:31+00:00August 27th, 2025|Categories: Comment Letter, Dialysis Funding, Improve Access to Care, Innovation, Policy Issues, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, Quality Incentive Program, Staffing Shortages, Treatment Options|

August 27, 2025 The Honorable Mehmet Oz Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC  20001 Re: CMS-1830-P - End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System  Dear Dr. Oz: Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) writes to offer its comments on the above referenced proposed rule. DPC's membership, currently about 35,000, is restricted to kidney disease patients and their family members. DPC is a patient-led organization.  Our by-laws require that the President, Vice President and at least 51% of the Board be current dialysis patients.  The non-dialysis patients serving on our Board are former dialysis patients with kidney [...]

Read More

DPC’s 2025 Advocacy Day

2025-07-23T14:55:01+00:00July 23rd, 2025|Categories: About DPC, Advance Patient Choice, Article, Improve Access to Care, Increase Quality of Care, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Private Insurance Coverage, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care|

Last week, DPC hosted our annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. where we bring together patients, family members, and care givers to meet with their Members of Congress to elevate the patient story for dialysis patients. This year we had 36 advocates attend, representing 24 states, who had over 80 Congressional meetings. Our patients spoke to their congressional leaders and encouraged their support for the Restore Act (H.R. 2199/S. 1173) and for the Kidney Care Access Protection Act (KCAPA), which is expected to be introduced soon. In doing so, they helped to elevate the voices of the ESRD community nationwide. Additionally, [...]

Read More

Congress, pass Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act

2025-08-26T19:40:22+00:00July 12th, 2025|Categories: Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Patient Stories in the News, Patient's Voice, Promote Financial Security, Spotlight|

I’ve lived with kidney failure since birth. After several transplants, I’ve now been on dialysis for 36 years, which is the only treatment besides a transplant for kidney failure. It’s not something you can skip. It’s a life-or-death treatment. That’s why I’m urging Congress to pass the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. This H.R. 2199 bill would ensure new dialysis patients can keep their private insurance for 30 months, a protection we used to have until a recent Supreme Court decision determined what health care we can receive. Private insurance gives patients better options, essential in those initial months [...]

Read More

DPC’s Letter to Mr. Abe Sutton, Deputy Administrator at Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, on CKCC Revisions

2025-07-09T18:20:20+00:00July 9th, 2025|Categories: Comment Letter, Improve Access to Care, Policy Issues, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care|

July 9, 2025 Mr. Abe Sutton, Deputy Administrator Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD  21244 Re: CKCC Revisions Dear Mr. Sutton: We are writing to protest the recent changes to the CKCC model that manifest a reduced CMMI commitment to integrated kidney care. As a former CMMI staffer, a consumer representative on the governing body of one the CKCC sites, and a longtime health policy analyst and patient advocate, I can see CMMI programs from a global perspective, and what I see is a relegation of our patient population to a second-tier focus despite it being [...]

Read More

Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds Texas Legislature for Passing Historic Bill Expanding Affordable Medigap Access for Dialysis and ALS Patients

2025-06-24T17:52:36+00:00June 23rd, 2025|Categories: Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Press Release, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, State Advocacy|

Austin, TX (June 23, 2025) – House Bill 2516 has become public law, a significant victory for Texans living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The legislation, championed by Representative Ryan Guillen (R-TX-31), received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Texas State Legislature, passing the House with a 133-4 vote and the Senate unanimously. The law guarantees that ESRD and ALS patients under the age of 65 can access affordable Medigap insurance. Specifically, Medigap Plans A, B, and D will be available at the same premium rate as for those age 65, while the [...]

Read More

Medigap Protections become Law in Nevada and Texas

2025-06-25T13:56:23+00:00June 23rd, 2025|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, State Advocacy|

Two historic bills that expand affordable access to Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage, otherwise known as Medigap, have passed with overwhelming support in the states of Nevada and Texas this legislative session. Both bills provide affordable access to Medigap plans for dialysis patients who are under age 65. Sponsored and championed by Nevada State Senator, Roberta Lange (D-NV-7) and signed at the beginning of June by Governor Joe Lombardo (R-NV) Senate Bill 292 guarantees access to affordable Medigap coverage to Nevadans who are under age 65 and on dialysis. SB 292 fills a devastating gap in Medicare coverage for Nevadans who had [...]

Read More

Rhode Island Passes Birthday Rule and Evaluates Community Rating for Medigap Plans

2025-06-25T14:04:54+00:00June 20th, 2025|Categories: Article, Medicare Advantage, Medigap Coverage, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, State Advocacy|

On Friday, June 20, the Rhode Island House passed SB610, Sub B, joining the Senate in approving a birthday rule and evaluation of adopting community rating for all Medicare Supplement plans.  SB 610 is awaiting the Governor’s signature. SB 610 does a number of things, including establishing a guaranteed-issue 6-month open enrollment period for individuals under-age 65 enrolled in a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan who wish to switch to a different plan upon turning age 65.  While all individuals turning age 65 who enroll in Medicare Part B are entitled to this 6-month open enrollment period, this language eliminates any confusion [...]

Read More
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top