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About Hannah Bracamonte

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So far Hannah Bracamonte has created 636 blog entries.

Dialysis Patient Citizens and the DPC Education Center Mourn the Passing of Stephen Ahern

2025-03-24T15:18:15+00:00March 24th, 2025|Categories: Article, Board Members|

It is with a heavy heart that DPC and the DPC Education Center Board, staff, and volunteers learned of the passing of one of our Board Members, Stephen (Steve) Ahern. Steve was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, PA, and was a lifelong Eagles fan. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation before working as a Commercial Loans Officer for PSFS Bank. Steve moved to Cape May County 40 years ago and worked as a real estate agent in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ, a seasonal beach community along the southern Jersey shore. He also volunteered with his local [...]

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Expand Medigap Coverage

2025-03-18T19:01:38+00:00March 10th, 2025|Categories: Medicare Advantage, Medigap Coverage, Patient Stories in the News, Promote Financial Security|

My husband and I have end stage renal disease, or kidney failure, and depend on dialysis to survive. It is difficult for Texans in similar situations to afford lifesaving dialysis, especially people who don’t qualify for My husband and I have end stage renal disease, or kidney failure, and depend on dialysis to survive. It is difficult for Texans in similar situations to afford lifesaving dialysis, especially people who don’t qualify for Medicare covers only 80% of dialysis costs, leaving many patients responsible for the rest. It can cost thousands of dollars a year without proper coverage. Supplemental insurance plans [...]

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Georgia Medigap Legislation Passes First Hurdle

2025-02-27T14:59:05+00:00February 25th, 2025|Categories: Article, Medicare Advantage, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, State Advocacy|

On February 24, HB 323 was unanimously approved by the Health Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Representative Karen Mathiak (R-82), this legislation will provide affordable access to Medigap coverage to the under 65 Medicare eligible population. DPC Patient Ambassadors Kristi Flynn and Christopher Richards shared their stories with the committee, helping legislators understand the unique challenges faced by both kidney transplant and dialysis patients. HB 323 will now go to the full House for consideration, and if approved, moves over to the Senate. Thank you, Kristi and Christopher, for traveling to Atlanta to advocate for all [...]

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Building Momentum: DPC’s Growing Patient Ambassador Network

2025-02-27T15:04:29+00:00February 10th, 2025|Categories: Advance Patient Choice, Article, Improve Access to Care, Increase Quality of Care, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, Policy Issues, Private Insurance Coverage, Promote Financial Security, Protect Patient Care, State Advocacy|

By Yolonda Brisbane, DPC Grassroots Manager Since I began my role as Grassroots Manager for Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) in April 2022, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growth of something truly special—the Patient Ambassador Program. This network of DPC members from across the country is dedicated to amplifying their voices and making a real difference. Turning personal health challenges and difficult experiences into action, they advocate for better care for the kidney patient community. In addition to their ongoing advocacy efforts, DPC Patient Ambassadors take part in Advocacy Day in Washington, DC, meeting with lawmakers to push for positive [...]

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DPC Welcomes New Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager – Megan Leonard

2025-01-23T17:59:29+00:00January 23rd, 2025|Categories: About DPC, Staff|

Megan Leonard is the Digital Marketing & Social Media Manager at Dialysis Patient Citizens, where she applies her digital communications expertise to enhance the organization’s visibility and engagement. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Alabama (2020) and a Master of Science in Communication from Lasell University (2021). Before joining Dialysis Patient Citizens, Megan gained valuable experience managing social media and digital communications for a health care professional association, where she crafted strategies to boost online presence and foster community engagement. At Dialysis Patient Citizens, Megan is passionate about utilizing digital platforms to [...]

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Dialysis Patient Citizens Mourns the Passing of Former Board Member Erich Ditschman

2025-01-14T17:53:48+00:00January 14th, 2025|Categories: Article|

It is with a heavy heart that DPC Board, staff, and volunteers learned of the unexpected passing of one of our former Board Members, Erich Ditschman, on January 1, 2025. Erich was originally from Nyak, New York, but later moved to Michigan where he met his wife, completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees, and raised his family. Advocacy was always at the heart of what Erich did – first as an environmental scientist advocating for river and watershed resources, then as a patient advocate for kidney disease after receiving a diagnosis of end stage renal disease in 2001. Erich joined [...]

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California Resources

2025-01-23T17:55:22+00:00January 9th, 2025|Categories: Advance Patient Choice, Article, Improve Access to Care, Increase Quality of Care, Policy Issues, Promote Financial Security, State Advocacy|

As the wildfires continue to profoundly affect communities in the Los Angeles area, Dialysis Patient Citizens extends its heartfelt support to all who are impacted by this devastating crisis. Thousands of structures have been affected, over 200,000 residents have been displaced, and to date, at least 27 people have lost their lives. Government officials, including Governor Newsom, have issued emergency declarations as the fires intensified, allowing for rapid deployment of resources to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure. While some of you may not live in the immediate area of the wildfires, we understand that many of you may work, travel, [...]

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DPC Gives Thanks to All Our Amazing Advocates

2024-11-26T14:49:33+00:00November 26th, 2024|Categories: Article, Patient Ambassadors|

DPC would like to give thanks to our many patient advocates, family members, friends, coalition partners, legislative champions, healthcare partners, and countless supporters for your dedicated commitment and collaboration over the past 20 years. We are grateful for everything you do to help elevate the patient voice with policy makers.   Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving celebration.

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Native American Heritage Month

2024-11-26T14:42:59+00:00November 1st, 2024|Categories: Article, News|

Native Americans have the highest diabetes prevalence in the U.S., which is the leading cause of kidney disease; they are two times more likely to develop kidney failure compared to white Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Because people in the early stages of kidney failure often experience few or no symptoms, it’s important to get regular screenings, especially if you have a family history of diabetes or are at risk for diabetes. An early diagnosis and treatment plan can help preserve kidney function for longer and delay the need for dialysis. This November, DPC is proud [...]

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Federal Officials Update Kidney Community on Baxter Hurricane Recovery

2024-10-24T12:58:01+00:00October 23rd, 2024|Categories: Article, News, Protect Patient Care|

Officials from the US Department of Health and Human Services updated kidney care leaders on the fallout from hurricane damage to Baxter’s North Caroline plant. A representative of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response said that it is working with the FDA and Baxter to mitigate shortages of fluids for dialysis patients. The government has invoked the Defense Production Act to ensure that Baxter has the materials needed to clean up their facility. Two other companies are increasing production to their full capacity to bring additional products to market. Products from Baxter’s overseas facilities are being airlifted to the US, [...]

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