Get Involved Archives - Page 9 of 9 - Dialysis Patient Citizens

DPC Encourages Participation in National Kidney Month Awareness

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:30+00:00March 10th, 2016|Categories: Article, Charitable Premium Assistance, Dialysis Funding, Get Involved, Take Action, Transplant Donor Protection, Uncategorized|

March is National Kidney Month, which provides you with the perfect opportunity to spread awareness by educating your community and your legislators about kidney disease and the importance of kidney health. You can find educational information on the website of our sister organization, the DPC Education Center to share with your family and community. Additionally, we can provide promotional materials for any awareness events you plan to hold in March. To request materials such as pens and squeezable kidneys, visit our materials request page or call us at 1-866-877-4242. On the legislative front, you can ask your member of Congress to [...]

Patients Work on Advocacy at Home During Congressional Recess

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:32+00:00September 16th, 2015|Categories: Get Involved, State Advocacy, Take Action|

While Congress was in recess during the month of August, DPC Patient Ambassadors used this opportunity to engage their legislators at home. Patient Ambassadors attended meetings with congressional staff, hosted facility tours and wrote letters to the editor in support of The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (H.R. 1130, S. 598). Facility tours and meetings took place all across the country. Specifically, Bob L. from Oregon, Kathy S. from Ohio, Jim M. from Indiana and Arthur G. from Pennsylvania hosted their legislators at dialysis facilities and shared their stories to encourage support of the kidney bill. [...]

Insights with Jack: Accidental Advocate

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:34+00:00February 2nd, 2015|Categories: About DPC, Dialysis Funding, Get Involved, Patient's Voice|

By Jack Reynolds, DPC Board Member and Patient Ambassador As it is Ground Hog Day, I thought I would come out of my winter hole and blog once more. March is only four weeks away, and it will be time to visit Washington, D.C. and another chance for Dialysis Patient Citizen Ambassadors to bring our issues and concerns to our elected Congressional Representatives and Senators. Although I have made this journey many times since 2005, I am not a “natural” political advocate; and in fact, if not for a social worker, I may have never become a dialysis citizen at large [...]

A Strong Voice for Dialysis Patients

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:34+00:00December 8th, 2014|Categories: Article, Get Involved|

With the gridlock in Congress reaching new heights, it is more important now than ever for dialysis patients to have a strong voice in policymaking. DPC is well-equipped to serve as that voice since it is a patient-led organization (the Board of Directors consists entirely of patients). Joining DPC means you are serious about improving the quality of care for dialysis patients, and sends a signal to legislators that this will be on the top of your mind when you go to the ballot box in November. They know that if they pass legislation favorable to patients, they will be more [...]

New Medicare Rule for Dialysis Facilities Brings Changes to “Pay for Performance” Formula
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New Medicare Rule for Dialysis Facilities Brings Changes to “Pay for Performance” Formula

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:05+00:00July 1st, 2014|Categories: Get Involved, Quality Incentive Program, Take Action|

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Proposed Rule specifying how dialysis facilities will be paid in 2015 and beyond. Most of the proposed changes relate to the Quality Improvement Program for dialysis. The Quality Improvement Program (QIP) sets performance standards for each clinic and penalizes clinics that do not meet or make progress toward the standards by cutting their payments by up to two percent. The purpose is to incentivize providers to do a better job by tying their pay to performance. This year’s rule proposes several changes including new measures related to: patient [...]

Its a Shoo In!
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Its a Shoo In!

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:05+00:00June 30th, 2014|Categories: Get Involved, Patient's Voice|

Meet Darrel Ratliff, who continues to run his shoe repair business while also being an in-center dialysis patient. Darrel was a diabetic for many years until lab tests in 2009 revealed values his doctor did not like. He was immediately admitted to the hospital and given two dialysis treatments that day. Results of a subsequent needle biopsy determined only four percent kidney function. Darrel has struggled with many health setbacks such as anemia, infection scares and allergies. He jokingly states that he must now follow a dialysis diet and that means, “if it tastes good, spit it out!” Darrel doesn’t [...]

Exciting Changes to the Patient Ambassador Program

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:07+00:00December 1st, 2013|Categories: Article, Get Involved|

DPC has revised the Patient Ambassador program to offer participants a better overall experience. To give Patient Ambassadors increased flexibility, Ambassadors will now have more of a choice over which actions they take. Prior to 2014, Ambassadors received two suggested actions to take each month. Starting in 2014, Ambassadors will receive many more possible actions to take on a bimonthly basis without any obligation to complete them all. Instead, Ambassadors will earn reward points for each action they take. The greater the time commitment and effort required to complete an action, the greater the reward point value. The format of the [...]

Apply for DPC’s 2014 World Kidney Day Fly-in

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:08+00:00December 1st, 2013|Categories: Article, Get Involved, Take Action|

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) is holding our 2014 World Kidney Day Fly-in from March 11 through March 13 in Washington, DC. Are you ready to join the nation’s top patient advocates in Washington, DC and talk to your legislators directly about the issues that affect dialysis patients? If so, be sure to apply! We are looking for kidney disease patients who are passionate about dialysis advocacy. Before applying, you must first enroll in DPC’s Patient’s Ambassador Program. Preference will be given to applicants who have volunteered for DPC in the past and who live in key congressional districts. At the [...]

Inside the Intern’s Mind: Introduction

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:09:00+00:00January 29th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Get Involved|

Megan Sturman By Megan S., Education Intern Hello everyone! My name is Megan Sturman, and I am excited to announce that I am the new education intern here at The DPC Education Center (The Center)! I grew up in Waldorf, MD., a small city just outside of Washington, D.C. I will be graduating this May, from Salisbury University earning my B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Sociology. One of the reasons I decided to pursue a degree in public health was because I am passionate about the health of others. So far it has been the [...]

Dash of Sage: Resolutions
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Dash of Sage: Resolutions

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:09:00+00:00January 9th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Get Involved|

By Sage B., Grassroots Manager Welcome to the New Year! I’m excited to say that my sneakers are no longer decorative objects in my closet. Instead, they are decorating my entry hall- hmmm enough about me! My other resolution is to ensure that Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) remains responsive to its members. And on that front, I’m making a bit more headway. As you may know, one of DPC’s core programs is the Patient Ambassador program. In this program DPC provides support to Ambassadors as they advocate for dialysis patients and their families and educate the public. They build relationships with [...]

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