1759

The Honorable :
U.S.House of Represenatives
Washington DC 20515
RE : House Bill 1759 - Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act

Dear Represenative,

We are kidney dialysis patients, friends and family members. We urge you to support and vote for HR 1759. There is increasing evidence that hemodialysis five or six times weekly, rather than the usual three times a week, provides great benefits for many patients with kidney failure. Patients feel better during and between dialysis, their quality of life is markedly improved and opportunity for rehabilitation is enhanced. These benefits have been reported in many medical journals.
However, the Medicare Program currently only pays for hemodialysis three times weekly. While more frequent dialysis will increase the total cost of dialysis. This will be offset by the savings to both Medicare and patients from the reduction or elimination of the need for erythropoetin(EPO) and drugs to control high blood pressure, and the reduction in the frequency and number of days of hospitalizations.
On May8, 2001 Congressman Jim McDermott (D) and Congresswoman Jenifer Dunn (R)
introduced HR1759, the "Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act of 2001". It amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for more frequent hemodialysis treatments under the Medicare Program.
As a patient with kidney failure, I am excoted to see a new opportunity for significant improvements in dialysis practices.
On behalf of myself, and other kidney patients across the country, I thank you for supporting and voting for this important issue.

Sincerely,

Submitted Courtesy of DialysisEthics.com