Protect Patient Care Archives - Page 3 of 12

Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds Kentucky Legislation Expanding Medigap Access
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Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds Kentucky Legislation Expanding Medigap Access

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00April 6th, 2023|Categories: Medigap Coverage, News, Press Release, State Advocacy|

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2023) -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) today applauds the signing of Kentucky bill HB 345, which will ensure access to Medicare Supplement – also called Medigap -- coverage for Kentuckians under 65 living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This bill received resounding bipartisan support in both the Kentucky Senate, where it passed on a 37-0 vote, and in the Kentucky House of Representatives, which passed the measure on a 91-1 vote. HB 345, which was introduced by Representative Kimberly Poore Moser (R-District 64), allows Commonwealth residents under 65 to acquire affordable Medigap plans to supplement their Medicare coverage. In [...]

DPC State Advocacy – March 2023 Update
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DPC State Advocacy – March 2023 Update

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00March 27th, 2023|Categories: Access to Transplant, Article, Get Involved, Medigap Coverage, Patient Ambassadors, State Advocacy, Transplant Donor Protection|

It has been a busy and productive legislative session for DPC’s state advocacy efforts. Bills impacting dialysis patients have been introduced in multiple state legislatures and in most cases have moved quickly through the legislative process. Improving access to Medigap coverage is a top priority for DPC, and we are thrilled that several states are working to improve Medigap access. Just last week, DPC celebrated Governor Glenn Youngkin's (R) signing of Virginia bills SB 1409 and HB 1640 into law, guaranteeing access to affordable Medigap coverage for thousands of Virginians under 65 living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In Kentucky, Medigap [...]

Dialysis Patient Citizens Celebrates Virginia Legislation Guaranteeing Medigap Access
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Dialysis Patient Citizens Celebrates Virginia Legislation Guaranteeing Medigap Access

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:18+00:00March 24th, 2023|Categories: Medigap Coverage, Press Release, Promote Financial Security, State Advocacy|

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2023) -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) today celebrates Governor Glenn Youngkin’s (R) signing of Virginia bills SB 1409 and HB 1640 into law, guaranteeing access to affordable Medigap coverage for thousands of Virginians under 65 living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Each of these bills, which contain identical language and were passed with nearly unanimous support in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, were spearheaded by House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore (R-1) and Senator George Barker (D-39). These pieces of legislation come with no fiscal impact to the Commonwealth, and are only estimated to have [...]

2023 State Advocacy Kick-Off
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2023 State Advocacy Kick-Off

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:19+00:00January 25th, 2023|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage, News, State Advocacy, Transplant Donor Protection|

It’s been a busy start in 2023 for DPC’s state advocacy efforts. Bills impacting dialysis patients are being introduced in multiple state legislatures and moving quickly through the legislative process. Legislation to expand Medigap access has already been introduced in Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Virginia. Improving Medigap access is a top policy priority for DPC, and we are pleased that multiple states are considering how they can expand access to Medigap plans, particularly in states that have limited or no access to Medigap for the under-age 65 End State Renal Disease (ESRD) population. Hearings are scheduled in the coming days [...]

A Huge Thank You to Our Tireless Patient Advocates
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A Huge Thank You to Our Tireless Patient Advocates

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:20+00:00October 26th, 2022|Categories: Article, News, Private Insurance Coverage, Protect Patient Care|

DPC would like to take a moment to thank our tireless group of Members and Patient Ambassadors for continuing to share their personal stories on the importance of supporting H.R. 8594/S. 4750 – The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. From drafting Letters to the Editor to recording video interviews, their words really highlight the need to allow kidney patients to decide which health insurance will best serve them and preserve patient choice. Allowing ESRD patients to stay on their private insurance plan for up to 30 months could help them cover the high costs of care, have access to transplant, [...]

DPC Continues Outreach to Protect Patients’ Rights
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DPC Continues Outreach to Protect Patients’ Rights

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:21+00:00September 6th, 2022|Categories: Advance Patient Choice, Article, Private Insurance Coverage, Protect Patient Care, Take Action, Treatment Options|

DPC Members and Patient Ambassadors continue advocacy on H.R. 8594/S. 4750 - The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, which would codify into law the right for dialysis patients to stay on their private insurance for up to 30 months, if they should so choose. This bill not only preserves patient choice but also encourages insurers to detect and treat kidney disease early and, most importantly, protects kidney disease patients from discrimination. This legislation reinstates the importance of allowing kidney patients to decide which health insurance will best serve them. For more information, to watch patient testimonials, or to take action, [...]

DPC’s Letter to Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for CMS, on Move Toward Medically Necessary Dental Care
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DPC’s Letter to Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for CMS, on Move Toward Medically Necessary Dental Care

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:22+00:00August 25th, 2022|Categories: Comment Letter, Dental Coverage, Medicare Advantage, Protect Patient Care|

August 25, 2022 Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244 Re: CMS-1770-P (Section II.L.) Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) writes to offer its comments on the above referenced proposed rule. DPC's membership, currently over 30,000, is restricted to kidney disease patients and their family members. DPC is a patient-led organization. Our by-laws require that the President, Vice President and at least 51% of the Board be current dialysis patients. The non-dialysis patients serving on our Board are former dialysis patients with kidney transplants. Our volunteer board members have represented [...]

Action Alert – Protect ESRD Patient Access to Private Coverage
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Action Alert – Protect ESRD Patient Access to Private Coverage

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:22+00:00August 19th, 2022|Categories: Article, Private Insurance Coverage, Protect Patient Care, Take Action|

Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 8594/S. 4750, legislation that would protect ESRD patients by allowing them to maintain private, employer health coverage up to 30 months after diagnosis with kidney failure. A recent Supreme Court ruling now threatens their access to private coverage by permitting health plans to carve off dialysis benefits from their networks and impose restrictive terms on kidney patients. The continuation of high-quality care and benefits during this 30-month coordination period helps kidney patient’s successfully transition into life on dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. Leave your legacy through advocacy and urge your representative to co-sponsor this life-saving legislation and restore the protections [...]

DPC’s Letter to Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for CMS
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DPC’s Letter to Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for CMS

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:22+00:00August 18th, 2022|Categories: Comment Letter, Medicare Advantage, News, Protect Patient Care, Quality Incentive Program, Uncategorized|

August 18, 2022 Hon. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244 Re: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Proposed Rule (CMS-1768-P) Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) writes to offer its comments on the above referenced proposed rule. DPC's membership, currently over 30,000, is restricted to kidney disease patients and their family members. DPC is a patient-led organization. Our by-laws require that the President, Vice President and at least 51% of the Board be current dialysis patients. The non-dialysis patients serving on our Board [...]

DPC Submits Comments on Medicare’s 2022 ESRD Payment Rule
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DPC Submits Comments on Medicare’s 2022 ESRD Payment Rule

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:09:22+00:00August 18th, 2022|Categories: Article, Comment Letter, Medicare Advantage, Protect Patient Care, Quality Incentive Program|

DPC’s comment letter on Medicare’s 2022 ESRD Payment Rule highlighted the impact that labor shortages may have on dialysis patients. “Currently, there are nearly two job openings for every available unemployed worker. Vulnerable patients need a labor market in which there is a one-to-one ratio of health care workers for vacancies in essential jobs. Over the long term, the government may need to act to foster interest among young people in healthcare careers and facilitate their preparation for such roles. But in the immediate term, it is necessary to ensure that wages for jobs like dialysis technicians are competitive.” DPC is [...]

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