More than 550,000 Americans with kidney failure (about 14,000 of them in Louisiana) rely on dialysis, the only treatment other than a kidney transplant, to survive. Unfortunately, many Americans with kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease, are left behind by the health care system. That's why I'm glad that Sen. Bill Cassidy is standing up to protect them.
Recently, Cassidy took an important step for Americans with kidney failure. Act to restore protections for dialysis patients. Mr. Cassidy's bipartisan bill would help resolve a crisis that has reduced the quality and choice of dialysis care, limited access to transplants, and led to medical debt.
The health insurance crisis for kidney failure patients stems from a Supreme Court ruling that allows group insurance plans to reduce dialysis coverage and benefits, essentially allowing patients to prematurely discontinue their plans. It's emitting. Previously, Congress allowed new dialysis patients to purchase employer-sponsored insurance for 30 months before switching to Medicare, which is required by law. As a result of the court's ruling, Americans with kidney failure will no longer receive these protections and will be forced into Medicare before they are ready.
Switching to Medicare prematurely can lead to medical debt, as dialysis patients need time to decide how to pay for the 20% of costs not covered by Medicare. Most people cannot afford these costs, and in addition to the stress of a diagnosis, there are significant financial challenges.
Cassidy has a track record of addressing health system issues. The medical community should be grateful for his leadership on the Dialysis Patients Protection and Recovery Act, and we look forward to his colleagues in the Senate joining him in this effort.
Dr. Anil Paramesh
Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency Medical Directory
new orleans
