DPC’s two State Advocacy Directors have been busy advocating for dialysis patients this summer. Pamela Zielske, DPC’s Western Region Advocacy Director, attended the 77th Council of State Governments Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon earlier this month. The event provided an outstanding opportunity to cultivate relationships with state legislators and attend policy sessions and legislative learning labs, including one hosted by Fresenius Medical Care on Improving Equity and Health Outcomes in Kidney Health Care. With legislators in attendance from 13 western states, the CSG West Meeting was a tremendous opportunity to elevate our advocacy work on behalf of dialysis patients with state policymakers.
DPC’s Eastern Region Advocacy Director, Elizabeth Lively, recently attended the Council of State Governments Midwestern Legislative Conference in Columbus, Ohio. This annual meeting of the 15 midwestern states (and Canadian provinces) included Ohio and Michigan — states where DPC has worked with policy makers to introduce Medigap legislation. It was a timely opportunity for DPC to network with key committee members to discuss the potential impact of providing Medigap coverage to dialysis patients and what it means to their financial stability and potential access to transplant.
