Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation Restoring Protections for Dialysis Patients

, /PRNewswire/ -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the leading advocacy organization for dialysis patients nationwide, today released the following statement applauding the introduction of the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act (S. 1173/H.R. 2199) to restore access to critical health insurance coverage for patients who choose it. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and it was introduced in the House by Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

"On behalf of dialysis patients across the country, DPC is deeply grateful to Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and others for introducing this vital bipartisan legislation to protect their health coverage and provide the financial stability they deserve," said DPC Board President Andrew Conkling. "Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Marietta Memorial Hospital v. Davita, Americans with kidney failure have faced uncertainty about their ability to maintain private insurance coverage for the traditional 30-month window. This unfair burden threatens their financial stability and their ability to secure a kidney transplant and get healthy. We are optimistic Congress will do the right thing and pass this bipartisan bill to protect dialysis patients."

Background

The law has long allowed End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients to remain on employer-sponsored health coverage for 30 months following their diagnosis, a fair period of time before transitioning to Medicare as their primary insurance provider. However, in Marietta Memorial Hospital v. Davita, the Supreme Court ruled that employers and insurers can impose low rates for dialysis or use other benefit limitations forcing patients to drop coverage and switch to Medicare prematurely.

This upended an interpretation of existing law which stood for 40 years, wherein employers understood the law to prohibit limitations specific to dialysis treatments. Employer-sponsored plans hold enormous importance for many patients and their families, often offering more comprehensive care options not covered by Medicare.

SOURCE Dialysis Patient Citizens