Improve Access to Care
DPC’s mission is to improve dialysis patients’ quality of life. A critical element of quality of life for patients is access to dialysis care.
Quality of life is improved when we have:
- Ability to choose the modality that is consistent with our individual needs;
- Access to centers that are convenient to travel to;
- Access to centers that provide the best quality care;
- Access to centers that are open during hours that permit us to plan dialysis around our lives, rather than having to plan life around our dialysis schedules;
- Ability to choose the frequency of our treatments in order to maximize the benefits;
- Access to centers where we can get continuity of care, from our physicians and the rest of the dialysis care team.
Quality of life is impeded when restrictions limit the choices patients have to receive our treatment. To this end, DPC advocates for the broadest possible choice of dialysis care for all patients, and against limitations or restrictions (of financial, policy, or other nature) that effectively limit such a choice.
Related Information
New Bill Would Help Struggling Dialysis Patients
By Dortha Pugh-Thompson, DPC Patient Ambassador When my doctor told me I had kidney disease, I wasn’t aware of just how serious it was. Two years later, though, I passed out and woke up [...]
DPC Hosts Successful Virtual Patient Advocacy Day
DPC patient activists and health care professionals from across the country met with Members of Congress and their legislative staff to advocate on behalf of dialysis patients during DPC’s Annual Advocacy Day on September 15, [...]
Action Alert – Support Care Coordination for Dialysis Patients
The BETTER Kidney Care Act (H.R. 8254/S. 4574) was recently introduced by Senators Young (R-IN) and Sinema (D-AZ), along with Representatives Blumenauer (D-OR) and Smith (R-MO). This bill would enhance access to care coordination [...]
Dialysis Patient Citizens Commends Introduction of the BETTER Kidney Care Act
WASHINGTON, D.C., (September 16, 2020) -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) today applauded introduction of the BETTER Kidney Care Act (H.R. 8254/S. 4574) by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) along with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Jason Smith (R-MO-8). [...]
DPC Comments on CMS Proposed ESRD Annual Payment Rule to Increase Dialysis Patient Quality Care
Each year—typically during the summer—the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) puts out rules for how they are going to pay for dialysis treatment. The rules reflect CMS’ latest policies, and organizations have [...]
The Coronavirus Outbreak Puts Dialysis Patients At Risk
Jeff Needham turned his lifestyle around with diet and exercise after he was diagnosed with kidney disease. A true inspiration, Needham competed in two Olympic distance triathlon relays, as well as a three-day, 230-mile cycling ride, in support of a better health care system. In addition, Needham warns about the increased dangers of COVID-19 for dialysis patients and highlights the benefits of participating in a coordinated care pilot program.
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