Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research / Treatment Act of 2017 (HR.2644)

[Shaks24]

New bill introduced for ESRD patients that sounds like it will bring some nice improvements for us. One of the key things I noticed is that it would make availability of medigap policies mandatory on a national basis for those with ESRD. Man that would be a huge benefit over each state having its own policy with different requirements. I hope this will pass.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2644/text








EDITED:Moved from Off-topic area to general discussion area-kitkatz,Admin

[Charlie B53]

I just sent notes to both of my MO State Reps asking for their support.

[Shaks24]

I will do the same. This is a very good bill for us. I also noticed a clause that said those doing home dialysis could go to a teleconference system  instead of having to go to the clinic every month as long as you have a face to face exam once every 3 months. I would love that as I think the monthly visits to the clinic are a bit much. I wonder if that means they would do labs just once every 3 months or if you still would have to do labs every month. I really like the idea of the Feds mandating the medigap policies. There are still some states where you can't buy them if you are under 65 and the choices and limitations in many states are horrible.

[iolaire]

I really like the idea of the Feds mandating the medigap policies. There are still some states where you can't buy them if you are under 65 and the choices and limitations in many states are horrible.

I'm skeptical of such a law passing in today's environment.  The current thinking for the AHC is to give the states the power to control their own medical plans.  It seems like the goal there is to allow states to cut coverage beyond the minimums that a national plan would require (and thus let the states decide how much they want to spend).

[Shaks24]

Medigap is private insurance with medicare policy attached. To me it sounds as though this would just get rid of some the disadvantages of medigap for those under age 65. Right now choice is limited and in some cases unavailable and they also charge more in many cases when you are under 65.  I remember when I signed up in 2013 for medigap F my premium back then was about 280 a month. If I was 65 it would have been about 180 per month. It goes up every year and now its 412 a month and I have no options to shop because my guaranteed issue window is gone. 

[cassandra]

... I also noticed a clause that said those doing home dialysis could go to a teleconference system  instead of having to go to the clinic every month as long as you have a face to face exam once every 3 months. I would love that as I think the monthly visits to the clinic are a bit much. I wonder if that means they would do labs just once every 3 months or if you still would have to do labs every month. ...

Here in Liverpool UK I go for check up maybe twice a year (with HHD) Bloods every Month though.

[kitkatz]

http://www.homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/210-act-now-to-protect-healthcare-for-americans-with-kidney-disease

More information from Home Dialysis Central share by Dori S.