WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressmen Todd Young (R-IN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced H.R. 5506, the Dialysis PATIENT (Patient Access to Integrated-Care, Empowerment, Nephrologists, and Treatment) Demonstration Act. This bipartisan legislation increases access to high-quality, coordinated care for Americans suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
“For Medicare patients living on fixed incomes, better coordinated care will spare them time, money, and multiple trips in and out of various providers’ offices,” said Young. “We know patients with end-stage renal disease are vulnerable to a host of accompanying health complications that require extra care. This comprehensive approach, which shifts the focus from treating a singular disease to caring for the whole patient, will not only bring down costs but meaningfully improve quality of life.”
“Kidney disease is debilitating and costly. By giving providers better tools to coordinate care and for treatment, these patients will be better served and see better outcomes,” said Blumenauer.“This is a first step towards improving kidney care, and more broadly reassessing federal policies, to help our most vulnerable individuals live healthier lives.” –
Background:
-An estimated 650,000 Americans receive dialysis to treat the final stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), known as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), in order to stay alive. The dialysis regiment typically
requires four-hour treatments at least three times a week.
- ESRD patients represent a very small portion of the Medicare population (1.2%) but account for a disproportionately large percentage of overall cost (6.3% of total Medicare spending or over $30 billion).
H.R. 5506, the PATIENT Demonstration Act, establishes an ESRD integrated care demonstration program where interdisciplinary teams, led by a nephrologist, provide holistic management for all of the patient’s health care needs. This program utilizes the dialysis facility as a central command point for patients to access the coordinated health care services.
The PATIENT Demonstration Act adopts a practical approach to care delivery that will significantly improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and readmissions, and increase quality of life for ESRD patients.
In addition to Ways and Means members Young and Blumenauer, the House bill benefits from the bipartisan contributions of original sponsors Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Tony Cardenas (D-CA). Both are members of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
