Bill would provide funding for staff assistance, more training options for home dialysis
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Key takeaways
- The legislation would qualify more medical professionals to provide home dialysis training and offer staff assistance during treatment sessions.
- The Senate is expected to introduce a similar bill.
Legislators have introduced a bill that would qualify more medical professionals to provide home dialysis training and offer Medicare-funded staff assistance during treatment sessions.
The Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act (H.R. 8075) was introduced on April 18 by U.S. Reps. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash.Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.
“Individuals with end-stage renal disease are often faced with difficult decisions when choosing where to receive dialysis services,” Miller said in a press release. “In rural areas, some patients must forgo a full-time job or time with their family to travel hours back and forth to dialysis centers to receive the life-sustaining care they need.
“Home dialysis is a wonderful tool that allows patients to be at the center of their own care, and Congress should be working to ensure patients that choose this modality receive the training necessary to dialyze safely in their home.”
Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist, said the bill will create greater access to home dialysis for patients who want that option. “As a physician in Congress, I know how important it is to increase patient choice,” Miller-Meeks said in the release. “With advancements in technology and care, people with kidney failure should be informed of options beyond in-center dialysis. Our bipartisan bill would enhance access, reduce travel time and improve the well-being and quality of life of those Americans needing dialysis and for whom home dialysis is a feasible option.”
Blumenauer said home dialysis “is a powerful model that puts patients and families in control of their care. This legislation is a simple, common-sense proposal that does not need to be unduly complex and will improve outcomes.”
According to a copy of the bill, the legislation proposes covering the cost of in-home health care support staff for up to 90 days with an add-on payment to the dialysis payment bundle. The benefit would be available for new patients on home dialysis or patients returning to home dialysis. Some patients with certain disabilities or other concerns could be eligible for continuing in-home assistance.
The bill also requires that patients get education on all dialysis options and expands the type of health care providers who can be trained and offer home dialysis education, including nurses, dialysis technicians and dialysis administrative staff. The bill would also allow for the use of group training, telehealth and off-site training.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, a similar bill will be introduced in the Senate.
“Patients deserve to know about all options for dialysis so they can make an educated choice for themselves,” Kevin Longino, CEO of the NKF, said in a press release. “Too many patients are never told they have options, besides in-center dialysis, that could improve their quality of life.”
References:
Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act, HR-8075. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8075?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22home+dialysis%22%7D&s=1&r=2. Published April 18, 2024. Accessed April 22, 2024.
The NKF urges passage of new home dialysis bill. https://www.kidney.org/news/national-kidney-foundation-urges-passage-new-home-dialysis-bill. Published April 22, 2024. Accessed April 22, 2024.
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