Being on dialysis is a unique position in the policy sphere. Dialysis patients are covered by Medicare regardless of age, meaning your care is heavily controlled and regulated by federal policies.

The first legislation to support the funding of dialysis was introduced in 1965, but Congressional hearings on the topic did not occur until five years later. In 1971, the government was addressing debates on national health insurance, including Social Security, Medicare and welfare. In 1972, Congress passed legislation that created a Medicare program to pay for dialysis treatment. The program officially began on July 1, 1973.

It’s important to lend your voice to lawmakers to keep them informed about the realities of dialysis. If you are pre-dialysis, becoming politically active now will only help foster long-term relationships that can help create meaningful policies that affect patients across the nation.

Many congressional offices are familiar with the concept of dialysis, but few of them have had the direct contact with a patient to know the specifics of having ESRD. Sharing your story and experiences as a patient helps put a face to what is typically a line-item in a budget.

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