Dialysis Patient Citizens News
Sign the Petition to Support Integrated Care for Dialysis Patients
We are pleased to report that Congress is working on draft legislation—known as the BETTER Kidney Care Act—to expand care coordination opportunities for dialysis patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has put the health of kidney disease patients at risk more than ever before, while also demonstrating the many challenges to ensuring their continuity of their care. Show your support for improving the lives of dialysis patients during this unprecedented time by signing our on-line petition to increase dialysis patient access to care coordination, then urge Congress to enact [...]
Increasing State Policy Maker Outreach to Better Support our Members During COVID-19
DPC works tirelessly on behalf of its patient members to elevate their voice and concerns to elected officials about policy issues that impact ESRD patients. As you know, DPC has expanded its state advocacy efforts over the past year and added two staff members who focus on state issues and government relations. So, how does an organization continue this level of engagement during a pandemic when state legislatures are recessed, and social distancing doesn’t allow face-to-face interactions? Moreover, most state governments are focused solely on fighting COVID-19 [...]
Advancing Care Coordination for Dialysis Patients: An Update
Efforts to modernize the delivery of quality care to dialysis patients reach several milestones in 2020: Medicare’s first care coordination program for kidney care, the Comprehensive ESRD Care Model, expires at the end of this year; providers have been invited to participate in a new program, the Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting Model; end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients will, in October, for the first time have access to their choice of Medicare Advantage plans effective January 1, 2021; and a new bill is being introduced in Congress to [...]
Are You Scared or Anxious about COVID-19?
We are living in a time of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to stress, fear, depression, and anxiety. We may feel overwhelmed at times and bored at other times. We may be at a loss for how to cope with social distancing, not seeing friends and family, and the possibility of getting sick. If you are a dialysis patient, receiving treatment either in-center or at home, your facility social worker is a great resource for you. Or, if you are a transplant patient, you can [...]
Connect with DPC on Social Media
DPC is now on Instagram and LinkedIn! Be sure to follow us to learn about our policy issues, action alerts how you can get involved and more. In addition to these platforms, you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Use the links below to get started: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Twitter YouTube
The COVID-19 Explosion—Lessons from New York—What Kidney Patients Should Know
During this webinar you will learn the latest on: 1) What kidney patients need to do (dialysis & transplant), 2) What dialysis facilities are doing and 3) What we can learn from New York’s COVID-19 experience.
Care Coordination Fixes One of the Biggest Flaws in the American Health Care System.
As a dialysis patient, it has become clear to me that one of the biggest flaws in the American health care system is the disjointed way care is often provided to patients. If patients have chronic conditions alongside other health complications, it can be exceedingly difficult to navigate the different doctors and hospitals we need in order to receive proper care. When seeing so many different doctors at various clinics and hospitals, patients like me can suffer adverse effects if all our treatments are not designed to [...]
COVID-19 Resources for Dialysis Patients
Here is a list of resources for dialysis patients to help them get additional support during the COVID-19 viral outbreak and beyond. Resource topics include: disability, financial assistance, nutrition, healthcare, housing and utilities, jobs, transportation, women and children, daily living, and staying safe. In addition, visit your state department of health website for COVID-19 information that is specific to your area.
DPC Supports Increased Access and Quality of Care for Dialysis Patients Amid COVID-19
DPC provided feedback to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the COVID-19-related issues that the kidney community is facing. DPC made recommendations to HHS in the following areas: Transportation COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccinations Home Dialysis People with End-Stage Renal Disease have a higher risk for developing a severe illness from COVID-19. As a result, it is crucial we do all that we can to help this vulnerable population in order to decrease the negative impact and spread of the virus. Read DPC's letter [...]
DPC Comments on CMS Proposed Rule Regarding Medicare Advantage
In 2021 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients will be permitted to enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, potentially bringing major changes to ESRD care and how patients experience it. When open enrollment begins this fall, we want to make sure patients have access to the same robust benefits offered with MA plans right now. DPC reached out to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with recommendations on how to ensure ESRD patients maintain the access, choice and quality care they expect when these benefits are [...]
What the COVID-19 Means for Kidney Patients
Learn about COVID-19 and what you and your family can do to protect yourselves. You will also learn about the CDC’s guidance for dialysis facilities and how your facility staff is working to prevent the spread of infection.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information for Dialysis Patients
Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated COVID-19) is a new respiratory virus spreading to the United States. Although the health risk is low in this country at this time, we know that people who have chronic illnesses, weakened immune systems and/or are over the age of 60 could pose an increased risk if they develop the disease. That said, it is not a time to panic, but rather a time to use procedures that help prevent the flu, coronavirus and other infections.
Check Out Our New Website
We recently launched a new and fully-responsive website, making it easier than ever for dialysis patients, family members and policy makers to learn more about the issues affecting kidney disease patients and what they can do to help improve patient quality of life. Learn about kidney disease, stay abreast of the key issues that impact the lives of people with kidney disease, discover ways to get more involved with DPC, find helpful resources for taking action as an active advocate and stay informed with our latest news. Check out the [...]
DPC Increases Advocacy Efforts with New and Promoted Team Members
Elevating the patient voice with policy makers to protect dialysis patients’ access to quality care remains a core part of what we do at Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC). To help us take our advocacy efforts to new heights, DPC recently promoted one of our team members, added two new staff and opened another office. Rhonda Clark, who has worked with DPC since June of 2016, was promoted to Grassroots Manager. Clark will spearhead DPC's grassroots efforts to help elevate the patient voice of 31 million Americans with [...]
Are You Ready for World Kidney Day?
March is National Kidney Month, and World Kidney Day is March 12, 2020. Now is a great time to elevate the voice of dialysis patients by reaching out to lawmakers and advocating for people with kidney disease in your city. Below are some ways you can get involved: Become a leader in your community by joining DPC's Patient Ambassador Program. Write to your lawmaker about a bill that impacts the quality of care for people with kidney disease Schedule a facility tour with your elected officials by coordinating [...]
Mark Your Calendar for our February Patient Ambassador Call
Please join us on February 13 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern for our first Patient Ambassador call of 2020! Please RSVP to let us know you can attend the call. Call Details are below: Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020 Time: 2:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM CT, 12:00 PM MT, 11:00 AM PT Follow these instructions at the time of the call: Call: 1-877-399-5186 Enter Meeting Code: 269 743 2061 Join Online (optional): https://dialysispatients.adobeconnect.com/patient-ambassador-call/ Thank you for elevating the voice of dialysis patients by representing DPC as a leader in your community. [...]
Action Alert – Secure Patient Access to Immunosuppressive Medications
The Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 (H.R. 5534) was recently introduced by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Michael Burgess (R-TX). This legislation would extend Medicare coverage of immunosuppressant drugs beyond the current limit of 36 months for patients who are unable to obtain health insurance coverage elsewhere. Immunosuppressive medications play a critical role in preventing transplant recipients from rejecting a donor kidney. Right now, after dialysis patients receive a transplant, if they are under the age of 65, they are only [...]
Court Temporarily Blocks AB 290, Allowing Charitable Assistance Program to Continue Serving Dialysis Patients Pending Trial Outcome
DPC works hard to protect patient access to quality care for all dialysis patients, which is often only possible with the support charitable assistance from organizations such as the American Kidney Fund (AKF). Unfortunately, a new law recently enacted in California threatens that access. DPC quickly joined AKF and two patients as plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to prevent this newly passed law from going into effect at the start of 2020. In late December, we were pleased that the court recognized our concerns of potential patient [...]
Medigap Coverage Gains Support in New Legislation
During recent discussions on drug pricing legislation, House leadership decided to use some of the potential savings to pay for some of our priorities. One such provision would provide all dialysis patients with access to Medigap—a supplemental insurance plan which helps patients pay for the expenses not covered by Medicare. This priority was originally included in the Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (S. 1676/ H.R. 3912) or “Kidney Bill.” Under Federal law, Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older are guaranteed access to Medigap [...]
Happy Holidays and DPC’s Top 10 Accomplishments of 2019
Dialysis Patient Citizens wants to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday, as well as a safe and healthy New Year. Our offices will be closed for the holidays starting December 23 through January 1. We also want to take this opportunity to share our list of Top 10 Accomplishments for 2019, which would not have been possible without your support. Thank you again for helping us elevate the dialysis patient voice with policy makers. We are extremely grateful for all of your advocacy efforts, and we look forward [...]