Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have introduced the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. This legislation aims to ensure individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, continue to have access to private health care.

The bill responds to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Marietta v. DaVita, which allowed private health plans to exclude kidney care services, including dialysis treatments and nephrologist access, thus prematurely pushing ESRD patients onto Medicare. This shift disrupts coverage for patients and their families while transferring a significant financial burden onto taxpayers.

"ESRD patients who rely on life-sustaining dialysis treatments should not be kicked off their health care plan when they need it most," said Dr. Cassidy. "This legislation ensures patients are protected and have access to the care of their choosing."

"No one should face barriers to essential health care," said Senator Booker. "The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act will protect access to crucial dialysis treatments for ESRD patients and ensure that individuals who depend on these treatments are not forced into financial hardship for seeking them. Congress made a commitment to individuals with end stage renal disease and we must uphold that commitment."

"The last thing patients should be worried about when dealing with kidney failure is being kicked off their insurance while undergoing treatment," added Senator Heinrich. "I’m introducing the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act to ensure New Mexico families can continue to access essential care when they need it most."

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), John Joyce (R-PA-13), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25).

"Patients deserve to have a choice in their health coverage to ensure they can access the care they need," said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. "We’re grateful to Senate leaders stepping up and supporting this effort to restore long-standing protections to patient choice and look forward to continued collaboration with policymakers and those impacted by current policy to advance this bill."

The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act is endorsed by numerous organizations including Akebia Therapeutics, American Kidney Fund, American Nephrology Nurses Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Ardelyx, AstraZeneca, Atlantic Dialysis Management Services, Baxter, Centers for Dialysis Care, CorMedix, CSL Vifor, DaVita Inc., Dialysis Care Center Inc., Dialysis Patient Citizens Inc., Fresenius Medical Care North America Inc., Greenfield Health Systems LLC., The Kidney Care Council Inc., NATCO-The Organization For Transplant Professionals Inc., Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission Inc., Renal Healthcare Association Inc., Renal Physicians Association Inc., Renal Support Network Incorporated The Rogosin Institute U.S.A.-Inc USA-Renal-Care Unicycive Therapeutics-Diality.

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