Proposed Medicare Cuts Endangers Lives of Kidney Disease Patients

Kidney Care Partners (KCP) issued a statement today that Medicare's End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) benefit is facing dangerous cutbacks that have jeopardized the hope it has offered millions of Americans since it was established.

Dr. Edward Jones, M.D., Chairman of KCP and a practicing nephrologist is very troubled that the House of Representatives is considering such an action, especially because of the repercussions that will be experienced by poor, elderly and minority patients. 

Notwithstanding the documentation provided by the non-partisan Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPac) that explain standard increases in labor costs, some services for patients, and medical supplies, the cuts were nonetheless proposed. Additionally, the proposed cuts totally discount the increasing numbers of congressional membership who support the Kidney Care Quality & Education Act ( H.R. 1993) that was presented by Representatives John Lewis (DA-GA) and David Camp (R-MI). This proposed bill has more than 100 advocates in the House and would establish a quality program performance improvement initiative that takes into consideration the rising costs for the next three years as well as begins a well-rounded education and disease prevention program.

Kidney disease, also known as ESRD, is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the leading risk factors for renal failure. More than 60,000 Americans are on the transplant list and that number is expected to rise. Access to dialysis is more important than ever. Prevention and education are imperative. As demonstrated by the sharing of personal patient experiences on their website, KCP puts a human face on this disease.