Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently introduced The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act (S. 5018), which is the Senate companion to H.R. 6860 introduced earlier this year.

If you are a dialysis patient, you may be eligible for Medicare, but you also have the right to keep your private employer-sponsored health insurance for up to 30 months after being diagnosed with kidney failure. However, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could limit your access to private coverage by allowing health plans to cut dialysis benefits from their networks and impose stricter rules.

Along with H.R.6860, S.5018 would restore the protections Congress intended to guarantee for over 40 years, ensuring that individuals living with ESRD receive equal care.

The Key Role Private Insurance Plays in Supporting Dialysis Care.

  • Additional Benefits: Private insurance often covers services like dental care or family member coverage that Medicare does not provide.
  • Higher Satisfaction: Many patients report being more satisfied with their private insurance plans compared to Medicare.
  • Better Care: Commercial insurance is crucial for maintaining a robust and accessible dialysis care system. Lower Medicare reimbursement could jeopardize the financial viability of many clinics, especially smaller and rural ones, which often struggle to break even on Medicare rates. The financial strain has made it increasingly difficult for healthcare providers to hire and retain qualified staff.
  • Employer Stake in Dialysis Care: When employers invest in your healthcare, they encourage better preventive care and support for patients transitioning to dialysis. This means earlier detection of kidney issues and help with treatment options, including transplants.

Please add your voice in support of the RESTORE Act, by urging your members of Congress to cosponsor this critical legislation. It only takes a minute to add your story and edit a prewritten letter to your legislators urging them to press for passage. Please act today!!!