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House Introduction of the Living Donor Protection Act

2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00May 1st, 2023|Categories: Access to Transplant, Article, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care|

On April 27th, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH), Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Congressman John Curtis (R-UT), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), and joined by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), introduced the Living Donor Protection Act to protect the rights of living organ donors. This legislation would prohibit life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage and from charging higher premiums for living organ donors; It would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 [...]

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What Patients Should Know About Medicare’s New Immunosuppressive Drug Benefit

2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00April 18th, 2023|Categories: Article, Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage, Medicare Advantage, News|

It had always seemed illogical that Medicare coverage for under-65 ESRD patients ends 36 months after a successful kidney transplant. Why would Medicare make a huge investment in a transplant and then stop paying to safeguard the organ from rejection? For this reason, decades ago kidney care advocates sought a new Medicare benefit extending coverage for immunosuppressive drugs. This bill finally became law in December 2020, and is now being implemented by Medicare. While kidney care advocates applauded this development, it’s important to understand that the context for the bill has changed in light of passage of the Affordable Care [...]

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Reminder – 24 Hours Left to Apply!

2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00March 30th, 2023|Categories: Article, Get Involved, Policy Issues, Take Action|

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) will host our Annual Congressional Advocacy Day on October 23, 2023. Participants will be selected based on the quality of their applications, legislative priorities, and previous involvement in DPC's advocacy efforts. We will hold a training session ahead of our congressional meeting for those participating, both virtually and in-person, to explain the process and review our current legislative “asks.” The application period is open until March 31, 2023. We just ask that you tell us a little about yourself and why you think you would be a good candidate for this incredible opportunity. We will make a [...]

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DPC State Advocacy – March 2023 Update

2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00March 27th, 2023|Categories: Access to Transplant, Article, Get Involved, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, State Advocacy, Transplant Donor Protection|

It has been a busy and productive legislative session for DPC’s state advocacy efforts. Bills impacting dialysis patients have been introduced in multiple state legislatures and in most cases have moved quickly through the legislative process. Improving access to Medigap coverage is a top priority for DPC, and we are thrilled that several states are working to improve Medigap access. Just last week, DPC celebrated Governor Glenn Youngkin's (R) signing of Virginia bills SB 1409 and HB 1640 into law, guaranteeing access to affordable Medigap coverage for thousands of Virginians under 65 living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In Kentucky, Medigap [...]

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HHS Announces Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Modernization Initiative

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00March 22nd, 2023|Categories: Access to Transplant, Article, Treatment Options|

In March, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced a Modernization Initiative to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). The initiative includes posting of data dashboards detailing individual transplant center and organ procurement organization performance; improvement of the OPTN IT system; and competitive bidding to manage the OPTN. “Every day, patients and families across the United States rely on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to save the lives of their loved ones who experience organ failure,” said Carole Johnson, HRSA Administrator. [...]

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National Kidney Month Reminds Us of the Possibilities of Life on Dialysis

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00February 21st, 2023|Categories: Article, Care Coordination, Medigap Coverage, News, Patient Ambassadors, Patient's Voice, Policy Issues, Spotlight, Treatment Options|

The coming March marks the start of National Kidney Month, a time to promote kidney health, raise awareness of the obstacles facing patients, and advocate for policies that help them as they navigate life with kidney disease. However, National Kidney Month also means so much more. It is an opportunity to spread awareness of the fact that being on dialysis doesn’t mean having to put your life on hold. You can still pursue a career and do the things you love most, whether that’s traveling, camping, or spending time with family and friends. At Dialysis Patient Citizens, we are extremely [...]

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2023 State Advocacy Kick-Off

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00January 25th, 2023|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage, News, State Advocacy, Transplant Donor Protection|

It’s been a busy start in 2023 for DPC’s state advocacy efforts. Bills impacting dialysis patients are being introduced in multiple state legislatures and moving quickly through the legislative process. Legislation to expand Medigap access has already been introduced in Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Virginia. Improving Medigap access is a top policy priority for DPC, and we are pleased that multiple states are considering how they can expand access to Medigap plans, particularly in states that have limited or no access to Medigap for the under-age 65 End State Renal Disease (ESRD) population. Hearings are scheduled in the coming days [...]

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Congressional Update

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00January 9th, 2023|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage, Policy Issues|

The 118th Congress was sworn in earlier this month. It started off in historic fashion with a protracted fight on the House floor to elect a Speaker of the House, which Kevin McCarthy ultimately achieved on the 15th ballot. With Republicans controlling the House, and Democrats holding the White House and an expanded margin in the Senate, Congress will have to bridge the partisan gap to ensure the government remains open and in possession of its full faith and credit. Healthcare will of course be a major focus for the 118th Congress. At DPC will be working hard with our advocates [...]

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Welcome to the Board – Eugene Blankenship

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00December 22nd, 2022|Categories: Article, Board Members|

Eugene Blankenship has witnessed the struggles dialysis patients deal with for his entire life. Kidney disease runs in his family, and he lost both his father and grandfather to complications from kidney disease. Eugene was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease himself while on a camping trip in 2003. Since then, he has devoted himself to helping others affected by kidney disease, first as a DPC patient advocate and now as a member of our Board of Directors. Most patients have limited access to their representatives in Congress, so Eugene wants to play a part in ensuring that every patient’s unique [...]

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Welcome to the Board – Terry Peeler

2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00December 22nd, 2022|Categories: Article, Board Members|

Terry Peeler has devoted his life to public service, working for 25 years as a firefighter paramedic before kidney disease forced him to retire in October 2016. During his career in public service, Terry was appointed as the first African American full-time fire chief and paramedic in Sumter County, Alabama in 2000. He has also held roles as both Sumter County Coroner and Sumter County Sheriff. Having been used to serving others, the adjustment to needing assistance in his own care was a difficult shift. He now had to make a 72-mile round trip three times every week to undergo [...]

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