Top stories on policies and politics related to nephrology

Among the top stories on policies and politics related to nephrology are an effort by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, a Los-Angeles-based union, to help voters understand issues in the dialysis industry. Most recently, the group has targeted Arizona residents, encouraging them to approve a ballot measure this November that would limit revenues to 15% above the amount they spend on patient care. The group also supported Senate bill 1156 in California which would place strict criteria on programs like the American Kidney Fund’s Health Insurance Premium Program when paying health care premiums for a patient if it financially benefits the organization. Other stories include bipartisan legislation passed by Congress that will protect kidney patients and ensure funding for kidney disease programs, and recently signed legislation in Idaho that protects living organ donors from potential insurance discrimination.

 

Union targets third state for limiting dialysis company profits

The Los Angeles-based Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West is now targeting Arizona voters to approve a ballot measure this November that would limit profits for dialysis companies. Read More.

 

California bill would limit third-party payments for dialysis care

A California legislator recently introduced a bill that would limit acceptance of third-party payments for patients treated at dialysis clinics and drug treatment centers in the state. Read More.

 

NKF applauds bipartisan legislation to protect kidney patients, ensure program funding

The National Kidney Foundation applauded Congress for bipartisan legislation that will protect kidney patients and ensure funding for kidney disease programs. Read More.

 

Idaho passes landmark legislation to protect living organ donors

Idaho Governor Clement Leroy “Butch” Otter recently signed landmark legislation that protects living organ donors from potential insurance discrimination. Read More.

 

Coalition fights union over ballot measure on dialysis profits

Dialysis providers have formed a coalition of doctors, nurses, patients, veterans and other health care providers in California to fight efforts by a health care workers’ union to get a measure on the California statewide ballot in November that would cap dialysis clinic profits. A similar union-backed initiative to limit profits has begun in Ohio. Read More.