Federal Home Dialysis Bill Introduced

Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced a new bill in the US House of Representatives that could boost access to care and improve outcomes for some patients receiving dialysis. Companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.

The Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act (HR-8075) would:

• Require that patients be educated about all their dialysis options
• Expand the number of health care providers who can provide home dialysis training to decrease the burden on nursing staff and cut down on wait times for training
• Cover the costs of in-home support staff for patients when they are starting home dialysis

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) applauded the proposed legislation. “Too many patients are never told they have options, besides in-center dialysis, that could improve their quality of life,” said Kevin Longino, chief executive officer of the NKF, who is a kidney transplant recipient. “We are deeply appreciative of Reps. Miller, Strickland, Blumenauer, and Miller-Meeks for their introduction of the Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act, which will help more patients learn about and gain access to home dialysis.”

Only 14% of US patients receiving dialysis do so at home, although evidence shows that it may be a better option for some patients. Often, this is because patients are unaware of at-home options.