November 03, 2021
This new legislation could help improve the lives of kidney patients nationwide
Patient advocates and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) have been working closely with champions in Congress to move this critical new legislation forward. The Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act will allow Medicare to pay professional staff to work with kidney patients directly in their homes. They will assist them in learning how to properly manage dialysis treatment in the comfort of home, with the goal of becoming independent with their care.
Home dialysis, which includes peritoneal and hemodialysis, is under-utilized in the United States, but offers significant advantages to kidney patients.
“Home dialysis allows patients to decide when, how often, and for how long they dialyze. This not only gives them more time and energy to go to work and spend time with family, but also helps reduce patients’ risk of infection, hospitalization, and depression,” said Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant patient.
By providing patients with the support and training they need, this legislation will lead to better patient health outcomes, improved quality of life, and reduced risk for exposure to COVID-19. NKF sincerely thanks the bipartisan Members of Congress who stood up for kidney patients and introduced this important legislation.
Change starts with you. Become an advocate at voices.kidney.org
