Although there are over 600,000 patients with End Stage Renal Disease in the United States, and 20 million with Chronic Kidney Disease, many patients feel left out and unheard. Patients constantly struggle to cover the cost of their healthcare. They must be on the lookout to prevent falling victim to medication errors or mistakes associated with their care, and their limited income makes it difficult to afford the bear necessities. Well, Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients will be delighted to learn of this exciting new legislation called The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (H.R. 1130). The bill brags that it "addresses many of the issues facing Americans living with Kidney Failure." We encourage you to sign the below petition to support H.R. 1130.
Recommended Reading: H.R. Bill Improves CKD Patients' Care, Research To End Dialysis, And Lower Out-Of Pocket Costs
Introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Gregg Harper, the bipartisan initiative will address and prioritize care coordination, increase patient choice, support research programs, and improve economic stability. More specifically, these policies are meant to limit complications and improve care associated with Kidney Failure and Dialysis.
Recommended Reading: Bill Would Give Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Who Use Medicinal Marijuana Equal Transplant Rights
For instance, most Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients must visit multiple doctors such as their Nephrologists (kidney doctor), Cardiologist (heart doctor), Transplant Surgeon, as well as other specialized medical professionals. While specialized attention is good: The larger the healthcare team, the greater the opportunity for misunderstanding, miscommunication, and mistakes which may jeopardize a patient's health outcomes. Research has shown, "patients who saw multiple doctors were twice as likely to fall victim to a medication error or other medical mistake," reported Healthday.com. The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act will aim to improve coordination between a patient's Healthcare Team Members and limit otherwise avoidable mistakes.
Recommended Reading: 12 Hospitals, Half With Dialysis Care Connections, Which CKD Patients Might Want to Avoid
Similarly, H.R. 1130 makes individuals with Kidney Failure eligible for Medicare Advantage. According to Geeksonfinance.com, "Medicare Advantage plans can help ease the cost of having to cover out-of-pocket expenses," which include copays and deductibles that must be paid under traditional coverage. This would allow Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients to more easily afford their medication, and limit financial stress which may assist improving a patient's overall quality of life.
Recommended Reading: How Can The Personal Out-Of-Pocket Costs for Kidney Transplant Be Defrayed?
The Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Advocate and Dialysis Patient, Jim Myers said, "There is a large disparity in funding for necessary Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis research to improve a patient's quality of life." He suggested that on average only approximately $30.00 for research is assigned per person diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease which is the lowest of all major diseases that were referenced including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - $4,000 per patient, Cancer - $534 per patient, Alzheimer’s - $101 per patient, Heart Disease - $61 per patient, and Diabetes - $39 per patient. H.R. 1130 could potentially help correct this disparity by better prioritizing and funding Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis research such as the Wearable Artificial Kidney, 3D Printed Kidney, and the Implantable Artificial Kidney.
Recommended Reading: Four (4) Ways For CKD Patients To Make Dialysis Easier And More Tolerable
Again, Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (H.R. 1130) appears to be a worthwhile, bipartisan initiative which KidneyBuzz.com encourages you to support. Sign the below petition and pass it along to ask your family and friends to show their support as well. You do not have to be a Chronic Kidney Disease or Dialysis patient to support the common sense policies this bill would bring about. Hence, the more signatures the better!
Recommended Reading: Experts May Be Wrong As New Assessments Adjust Best Weight Practices To Increase CKD Dialysis Patient Survival
Do you support H.R. 1130? Why or why not? Share your response with the over 34,000 KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page Friends (click here). Also, follow the over 115,000 monthly viewers and visit KidneyBuzz.com every day for the latest breaking news and information which teaches those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives.