Brady Visits Dialysis Patients Living With Renal Disease

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Last week, Congressman Kevin Brady visited with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and caregivers at a Fresenius Kidney Care clinic to learn about their treatment and thank caregivers for rising to the task of accommodating hundreds of displaced patients dependent on life-sustaining dialysis in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

“As we saw time and again during Harvey, the people of Houston and Texas came together to help each other,” Rep. Brady said. “These caregivers put their patients first to ensure they received the care they needed during and immediately after the storm. We thank them for their selflessness.”

During his visit, Rep. Brady also learned about a loophole in the Affordable Care Act that would allow private insurance companies to reject patients who rely on charitable assistance to help pay their insurance premiums.

Clinical manager Vickie Billard explained to the Congressman, “Many patients with kidney failure are on fixed incomes and have a very difficult time making ends meet. Receiving dialysis treatment several times a week is time consuming and expensive, and makes holding a steady job extremely challenging. That’s why many ESRD patients depend on charitable funds to help pay for their premiums. It’s important we protect that right.”

“I appreciated the opportunity to visit with these patients and learn more about the care they receive,” Rep. Brady said. “These patients live every day battling a serious chronic disease and are some of the most vulnerable among us. It is distressing to learn they could be denied the ability to use charitable assistance to pay for the coverage of their choice. Ultimately, this would mean they have no choice but to use a government plan. That’s not right for patients, and it’s not right for taxpayers.”

“Responding to Harvey was a Herculean feat that our patients and employees handled with incredible grace and fortitude,” said Clinical manager Vickie Billard. “We really appreciate Congressman Brady for stopping to acknowledge our hard work and learn more about the issues our patients continue to face.”

Congressman Brady also used the visit as an opportunity to discuss the bipartisan Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act with Fresenius Kidney Care patients and staff. This bill would improve the lives of ESRD patients by modernizing our healthcare system and providing access to value based, integrated care.

Image: US Rep Kevin Brady