COVID-19 changed the lives of all Americans. For me, a COVID-19 infection led to kidney failure. When the doctor diagnosed me with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), I could not believe it. Suddenly, I had to begin dialysis, the arduous and frequent treatment which replaces my kidneys. Dialysis allows me to live.
Unfortunately, the health care expenses for dialysis patients can become overwhelming, especially since many of us have other health conditions. Fortunately, I began treatment on private insurance with a very low deductible, which kept me afloat. Dialysis became much less affordable once I transitioned to Medicare after 30 months. Covering the leftover 20% of costs that Medicare doesn’t pay required a plan with high premiums that did not cover my medications. I am currently spending much more out-of- pocket.
That’s why I was appalled to learn that the Supreme Court recently weakened protections that may allow insurers to push patients off of their private plans early. For decades, we have been guaranteed the right to keep our private coverage for at least the first 30 months after our kidneys fail. Patients need that time to receive more comprehensive coverage and plan for their transition to Medicare. It’s unacceptable for insurers to leave dialysis patients in the dust.
Our congressmen must support the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act to allow dialysis patients to keep their private insurance for those crucial first 30 months of care.
Karim Rattani, Schaumburg, Illinois
