Being diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease not only brings with it a variety of emotions, but also financial burdens - many of which are difficult for patients to meet. Countless Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients continue to be forced to go without necessities because they just do not have enough money. What's more, the price of gas and other forms of necessary transportation have left patients further stretched. Several patients have been removed from the Kidney Transplant Waiting List or denied placement because they could not afford the cost of dental work which is mandatory to hold a spot on the list. This has left many patients frustrated, depressed, demoralized, and feeling hopeless. However, what if one Legislative Act passed by congress could help reduce these stressful concerns? Well, according to James Myers (National Kidney Foundation Patient Advocate), the ESRD Choice Act (H.R. 5659) may help to solve all of these complex issues and more. That is why KidneyBuzz.com is calling for all Chronic Kidney Disease patients and their loved ones to act now by signing and sharing the following petition.

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Many Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients are forced to stop working because of their illness. In fact, less than 19% of Dialysis patients ages 18 to 54 are employed, reported the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). Hence, financial obligations can seem to increase from year to year and the overwhelming cost of health insurance premiums, as well as other high out-of-pocket healthcare related costs, do not help. That is why it is reassuring to hear that help may be on the way. Congressmen Jason Smith (R-MO), John Lewis (D-GA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Tom Marino (R-PA) introduced the ESRD Choice Act (H.R. 5659) that will give individuals with Kidney Failure access to Medicare Advantage plans. Since the program was created in 2003, Kidney Failure patients are the only group specifically denied the option to enroll in Medicare Advantage and utilize critical patient out-of-pocket cost cutting programs.

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Specific advantages which H.R. 5659 will offer patients include the following:

1.) Little or no co-payments or deductibles to be paid.
2.) Covers the cost of additional benefits to Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients including transportation and dental.
3.) Under a Medicare Advantage plan, out-of-pocket expenses are capped to reduce a patient's financial stress. 

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Hence, please take 30 seconds and let your voice be heard by signing and sharing the below petition to show your support for    the ESRD Choice Act (H.R. 5659):

As you well know, this is the beginning of the process. Stay tuned! KidneyBuzz.com will keep you up-to-date about the progress of this initiative every step of the way. 

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Do you support the ESRD Choice Act (H.R. 5659)? You and your opinion matter to us at KidneyBuzz.com. Share your responses with the over 46,000 Friends at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan page (click here). Moreover, consider following the approximately 120,000 monthly visitors to KidneyBuzz.com for your Number One (#1) source of Daily News, Information, Impact Meals, Inspirational Quotes, and tailored Products and Services which teach Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure patients how to better manage and improve their lives.