I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: plugger on January 21, 2007, 04:55:56 PM
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Hi,
I'm a father with a daughter who now has a kidney transplant. She was on dialysis for less than a year and has had her transplant since 2000. I've read a great deal and heard from many about the conditions that exist in this field of medicine - let's just say I'm very concerned.
A group of us have been hard at work trying to improve conditions and have put together a state bill for hemodialysis technician training standards for the state of Colorado. I would like to post the bill and ask for help with our hearing on February 1st.
I just wanted to say things are happening much quicker than I anticipated. We are due to give testimony February 1st at 1:30pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee concerning the need for hemodialysis technician training standards. Other bills are on the agenda but 1:30pm is the earliest we could be starting.
We very much would like to have testimony from those receiving dialysis in Colorado, those Coloradoans with a kidney transplant who care to comment on the need for technician training standards, staff, and any former staff would also be welcome. The committee would very much like to hear from those directly involved in the treatments. If there isn't enough testimony the committee might assume there aren't any problems and allow things to continue the way they have been.
I asked about phone-in testimony and my state rep said no; the only testimony we can have is testimony that can be written then read by another and testimony given by those who show up. I should add anonymous testimony will be allowed.
Also if you want to talk to my state representative directly, he is very open to listening to people about this issue and is even willing to be contacted at home - the following is his contact information:
Colorado State Representative John Kefalas, District 52
email: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
State Capitol phone: (303)866-4569
home phone: 970-221-1135
Mailing address:
Rep. John Kefalas, District 52
c/o Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203
plugger
P.S. I have worked with John since his 2004 campaign and he is one of the most trustworthy individuals I've ever met - and not just for a politician.
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Here is the attached bill (bottom of message) and the bill below:
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
SHORT TITLE: "Hemodialysis Technicians Training Stds"
DEADLINES: Finalize by: 01.09.07 File by: 01.15.07
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute.
First Regular Session
Sixty-sixth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
DRAFT
LLS NO. 07-0435.01 Christy Chase HOUSE BILL
House Committees Senate Committees
A BILL FOR AN ACT
101 CONCERNING STANDARDS FOR HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS AS PART
102 OF THE STATE REGULATION OF DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINICS.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently
adopted.)
Requires the state board of health (state board) to adopt rules
specifying the minimum training and competency standards for
hemodialysis technicians. Prohibits a person from performing the
functions of a hemodialysis technician if the person has not satisfied the
training and competency requirements. Prohibits a dialysis treatment
clinic from allowing a person to perform hemodialysis technician
functions if the person has not satisfied the training and competency
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Kefalas,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Bacon,
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-2- DRAFT
standards developed by the state board. Conditions licensure of a dialysis
treatment clinic by the department of public health and environment
(department) on compliance with this requirement. Further requires a
dialysis treatment clinic to post a notice in its facility specifying that it is
regulated by the department and the method by which consumers may
provide feedback to the clinic or the department.
1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
2 SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 1.5 of title 25, Colorado Revised
3 Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
4 read:
5 25-1.5-107. Regulation of dialysis treatment clinics - training
6 for hemodialysis technicians - state board of health rules - definitions
7 - repeal. (1) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE
8 REQUIRES:
9 (a) "DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC" MEANS A HEALTH FACILITY OR
10 A DEPARTMENT OR UNIT OF A LICENSED HOSPITAL THAT IS PLANNED,
11 ORGANIZED, OPERATED, AND MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT
12 HEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT TO, OR HEMODIALYSIS TRAINING FOR HOME
13 USE OF HEMODIALYSIS EQUIPMENT BY, END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE
14 PATIENTS.
15 (b) "END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE" MEANS THE STAGE OF RENAL
16 IMPAIRMENT THAT APPEARS IRREVERSIBLE AND PERMANENT AND THAT
17 REQUIRES A REGULAR COURSE OF DIALYSIS OR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TO
18 MAINTAIN LIFE.
19 (c) "HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS NOT A
20 PHYSICIAN OR A REGISTERED NURSE AND WHO PROVIDES DIALYSIS CARE.
21 (2) THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH SHALL ADOPT RULES TO
22 ESTABLISH THE FOLLOWING:
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1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
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1 (a) MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE CURRICULA AND INSTRUCTORS
2 USED TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF
3 A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN;
4 (b) MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE
5 COMPETENCY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TRAINED AS HEMODIALYSIS
6 TECHNICIANS;
7 (c) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION THAT AN
8 INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN TRAINED AND DETERMINED TO BE COMPETENT TO
9 PERFORM THE TASKS OF A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN;
10 (d) REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
11 DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (c) OF THIS
12 SUBSECTION (2) BY ANOTHER DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC THAT MAY
13 LATER EMPLOY THE INDIVIDUAL; AND
14 (e) THE ACTS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE ALLOWED OR PROHIBITED
15 FOR HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS.
16 (3) (a) A PERSON SHALL NOT ACT AS, OR PERFORM THE DUTIES AND
17 FUNCTIONS OF, A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN UNLESS THE PERSON IS:
18 (I) TRAINED AND DETERMINED COMPETENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
19 STATE BOARD RULES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS
20 SECTION; AND
21 (II) UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN OR REGISTERED
22 NURSE.
23 (b) A DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT
24 SHALL NOT ALLOW A PERSON TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND
25 FUNCTIONS OF A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN AT OR FOR THE DIALYSIS
26 TREATMENT CLINIC IF THE PERSON IS NOT TRAINED AND DETERMINED
27 COMPETENT PURSUANT TO STATE BOARD RULES.
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-4- DRAFT
1 (4) IN CONNECTION WITH ITS REGULATION OF DIALYSIS
2 TREATMENT CLINICS PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-1.5-103 (1) (a) (I) AND
3 25-3-101 (1), THE DEPARTMENT SHALL VERIFY THAT A DIALYSIS
4 TREATMENT CLINIC ONLY EMPLOYS HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS WHO
5 HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND DETERMINED COMPETENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
6 STATE BOARD RULES. COMPLIANCE BY A DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC
7 WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE A CONDITION OF LICENSURE BY THE
8 DEPARTMENT.
9 (5) EACH DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC LICENSED BY THE
10 DEPARTMENT AND OPERATING IN THIS STATE SHALL POST A CLEAR AND
11 UNAMBIGUOUS NOTICE IN A PUBLIC LOCATION IN THE CLINIC SPECIFYING
12 THAT THE CLINIC IS LICENSED, REGULATED, AND SUBJECT TO INSPECTION
13 BY THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT.
14 THE NOTICE SHALL ALSO INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE ABILITY TO
15 PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE CLINIC AND TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SHALL
16 DETAIL THE METHOD BY WHICH CONSUMERS CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK.
17 THE STATE BOARD MAY ADOPT RULES, AS NECESSARY, TO SPECIFY THE
18 CONTENTS OF THE NOTICE REQUIRED BY THIS SUBSECTION (5).
19 (6) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2017. PRIOR TO
20 SAID REPEAL, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND THE
21 DEPARTMENT REGARDING HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS SHALL BE
22 REVIEWED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 24-34-104, C.R.S.
23 SECTION 2. 24-34-104 , Colorado Revised Statutes, is
24 amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:
25 24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies
26 and functions for termination, continuation, or reestablishment.
27 (48) THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES, FUNCTIONS, OR BOTH, SHALL TERMINATE
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-5- DRAFT
1 ON JULY 1, 2017: THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
2 AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT REGARDING
3 HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-1.5-107, C.R.S.
4 SECTION 3. Effective date. This act shall take effect July 1,
5 2007.
6 SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
7 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
8 preservation of the public peace, health, and safety
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Welcome Plugger,
I see your serious about advocacy for a better environment and workforce training of dialysis Techs. I think that is a concern for many members here at IHD.
Please go back to the introduction section and read about IHD and then go to the introduce yourself section and tell us more about yourself.
I will be looking forward to your future posts.
Sluff, Moderator
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Hopefully this thread will get more recognition than it did on D&T City and the UK site ;) :thumbup;
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Angie,
I like to think everybody is off writing their thoughts on the need for technician training and striking a blow for better care and posterity - it is also a chance to increase one's good karma.
Sluff,
I did as you asked, it seems like a friendly bunch of folks here. I look forward to stopping by!
plugger
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We have here a unique opportunity to positively affect thousands of lives. We already know one big thing the opposition is going to come back with is there are very few complaints, therefore everything must be fine! We can pull out stats, quote some rather distinguished people in the field, but it is going to be more difficult without enough people writing in or testifying - nothing tells the story like hearing from people who are directly affected.
A chance to do something like this without fear of reprisal doesn't come around very often, I hope you will take advantage. Again you can contact:
Colorado State Representative John Kefalas, District 52
email: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
State Capitol phone: (303)866-4569
home phone: 970-221-1135
Mailing address:
Rep. John Kefalas, District 52
c/o Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203
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I understand some states have no standards or board for dialysis techs.
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Most States have no laws reguarding dialysis techs.
Tech training is so important, yet State by State, a person needs more certification time to be a hairdresser (1,600 hours) than a hemodialysis technician (0 hours). I hope you get your law passed.
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I remember 25 years ago they use to hire techs that were just fired from fastfood outlets.
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I remember 25 years ago they use to hire techs that were just fired from fastfood outlets.
Today, it's the fastfood outlets that hire patient care techs who were just fired from the units! ;)
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Believe it or not I remember a guy who worked at our unit also flipping burgers at a restaurant nearby. I think his burgers came out better.
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Funny stuff! ...in a sad sort of way. Anyway I thought I would post the hearing - time and place:
Hearing Room A
Legislative Services Bldg.
200 East 14th Street
Denver Colorado, 80203
Thursday, February 1st
Sign in: 2:30 to 3pm
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If anyone cares to contact some reps on the committee we are going in front of and tell them to vote for this bill, here is the contact info (you don't have to be a Colorado resident)
Health and Human Services Committee Members and Contact information
McGihon, Anne L., 303-866-2921 - anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us
Chairman
Frangas, K.Jerry, 303-866-2954 - kjerry.frangas.house@state.co.us
Vice-chair
Gagliardi, Sara 303-866-2962 - sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us
Green, Gwyn 303-866-2951 - gwyn.green.house@state.co.us
Kefalas, John, 303-866-4569 - john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
bill sponsor
Kerr, James 303-866-2939 - james.kerr.house@state.co.us
Primavera, Dianne 303-866-4667 - dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us
Riesberg, Jim 303-866-2929 - jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Roberts, Ellen 303-866-2914 - ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us
Stafford, Debbie 303-866-2944 - debbie.stafford.house@state.co.us
Swalm, Spencer 303-866-5510
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We need to pass a similar law in Texas as well. Then to all 50 states :2thumbsup;
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I hope it happens Renal30yrs!
It looks like there is internet access for those who want to follow the proceedings:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/cslFrontPages.nsf/Audio?OpenForm
(click on "Hearing Room A")
As for the details: HB1131 Hemodialysis Technician Training Standards hearing will start Thursday, February 1st some time after 3:00pm. A total of 5 bills will be heard that day with HB1131 being the fifth bill of the day. Total time of the hearing will be approximately one half hour – time may vary. Those giving testimony will have 3 minutes to present. Those wishing to give testimony are asked to sign in between 2:30pm to 3:00pm.
Hearing Room A
Legislative Services Bldg.
200 East 14th Street
Denver Colorado, 80203
This seems like a good time to list the organizations we have involved or are showing an interest:
ADA (Association of Dialysis Advocates)
ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses Association)
CNA (Colorado Nurses Association)
CNNT (Council of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians)
DialysisEthics/Health Care Patient Rights
Front Range Kidney Patients' Association
HCAC (Health Care for All Colorado)
NANT (National Association of Nephrology Technicians)
NRAA (National Renal Administrators Association)
We also have some local groups others are working on.
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:clap;
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The bill made it out of committee without a nay!
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:2thumbsup;
Congrats!
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The bill made it out of committee without a nay!
ROCK ON!!
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Thanks all! This bill is still a work in progress with all the amendments the state can tack on, and it just got out of the Health and Human Services committee - it might be stuck in the appropriations committee for awhile, then to the house floor, then to a Senate committee, then to the Senate floor, then we have to hope the governor won't veto it (would be surprised if he did). Yes, a hairy process, but this was a major step.
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What's your next step Plugger?
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Coaching - this is almost like a baseball game! I understand the bill should get out of the appropriations committee and make to the floor of the house where it will be debated. I think I've seen a good number of the excuses for not doing this sort of thing, so I'm passing it on to John K.. However I could miss something, so if anybody else comes up with what the opposition might pull and how to counter it, write Rep. John Kefalas at:
john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
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my question is why isn't this in the news. It's certainly just as important as what has been on lately and probably more so. I live in Centennial and the first time I heard about it was your post.
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I've watched the goings-on in this field of medicine for more than six years and still can't understand why it isn't in the news more! I don't know if most of the media is just totally gutless or what. I hope there will be more attention as this bill gets further along - but we will see.
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somebody needs to call/e-mail the tv stations
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Thegrammalady,
I will talk to my rep about how we can get the word out; it looks like we are getting a little write-up in Nephrology News and Issues for starters.
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it looks like we are getting a little write-up in Nephrology News and Issues for starters.
That is excellent!! :2thumbsup; :clap; :beer1;
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I was hoping to give all of you a happy update on our bill, it was looking like HB1131 was going to make it out of the appropriations committee at the end of March; however Fresenius has decided to join the act and is trying to kill the bill in the Appropriations committee. I'm trying to find out what they are saying and if my state rep wants people to write in - actually I kind of take this as a compliment.
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I'd take it as proof that they aren't meeting some pretty basic standards in their hiring practices right now - otherwise why fight it?
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I'm going to have to apologize to Fresenius on this one. It turns out they aren't trying to stop the bill, they just had a problem with some of the language in the bill concerning the organization (NANT) that will choose which tests get accreditated. It looks like my rep may have got some bad info on this one - and I should have waited to see exactly what they were saying.
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Ok, this one is official - davita has come out against our bill. My rep met with a lobbyist and they are going to try to shoot it down; they claim there is no proof certification works - they also claim everything is just coming along peachy-keen.
I've seen this song and dance before and I doubt there is enough proof in the known universe to convince davita of the merits of certification. So we are contacting our allies and would preferably have more testimonials from people in-state - a half page would be fine. It can be sent to Rep. John Kefalas at: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
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Ok, this one is official - davita has come out against our bill. My rep met with a lobbyist and they are going to try to shoot it down; they claim there is no proof certification works ...
Yet, DaVita is for the national bill that includes certification of patient care technicians. Maybe because the national bill has so many loopholes?
You should also read George Harper's article in Nephrology News & Issues about Georgia's technician bill which just passed the State Senate. They've been at it for a long time.
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This thread probably didnt get much response on the UK site because its concerning America .
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Yet, DaVita is for the national bill that includes certification of patient care technicians. Maybe because the national bill has so many loopholes?
You should also read George Harper's article in Nephrology News & Issues about Georgia's technician bill which just passed the State Senate. They've been at it for a long time.
I do hope the federal bill turns out to be a fine bill - it does worry me to hear Davita has their hand in it, but I hope my concerns are unfounded. I have spoken to George Harper and I wish him a lot of luck with their bill.
I wanted to mention we just had a stakeholders' meeting at the state capitol - it was real interesting. A friend and I were there to protect our concerns and it looks like it was a good thing - there was my rep, us, and seven people from the industry - mostly Davita and some Fresenius. We were there to go over the bill and I will admit some of the people had some good points about such things as timelines for training and so on. We didn't get along too well though when a Davita lady wanted their program as one we would recognize. I told her, her company had too much incentive to keep down labor costs and might water down any program - the way they have watered down the profession: years ago it was RNs and maybe LPNs giving treatments, now it seems to be anybody walking in from off the street. My rep mentioned he didn't want this to be confrontational and got us back on the bill. This didn't stop other spates from breaking out and I might mention them another time - let's just say we may have been outnumbered, but I didn't feel outgunned.
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One result of that meeting appears to be as follows: we had an organization that has been deeply involved in the bill, but appeared to be sitting on the fence; I got the word they will probably be coming down on our side. I don't know if they will see this - but Thank You Colorado Hospital Association!
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I talked to my rep and davita is still lobbying hard against the bill and trying to kill it in the appropriations committee - hearing April 11th. My rep - John Kefalas - told me more patient stories would be helpful - so if you haven't written yet, now would be a good time.
As always stories from Colorado would be given preferential treatment, but I told him stories from elsewhere concerning davita and Fresenius could also show these companies have problems.
Again, stories can anonymous.
Contact info:
Colorado State Representative John Kefalas, District 52
email: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
State Capitol phone: (303)866-4569
home phone: 970-221-1135
Mailing address:
Rep. John Kefalas, District 52
c/o Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203
If you need some inspiration I fairly recently dug up this stat:
Since 1991:
children age 10–19, mortality due to infection – up 19%
(children age 10–19, cardiovascular mortality – up 62%)
USRDS 2006 ADR
We have more.
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I talked to my rep and he is going to put out a legislative alert here soon - within the next day or two; he will probably be asking people to write in to appropriations committee members. He mentioned Davita has been quiet lately, but one of their main lobbyists is coming to town; I don't know if they are a bit more subdued or this is the calm before the storm.
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Plugger Thanks for all your hard work in research and keeping the rest of us up to date.
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You are welcome Sluff! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of this - now for the alert from my rep:
HB07-1131: HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN TRAINING STANDARDS & CERTIFICATION
4/6/07 - LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT
TAKE ACTION
· Contact House Appropriations Committee Members (see names below) before 4/11/07 and express your support for HB07-1131 (Sponsored by: Rep. John Kefalas, HD-52).
· HB-1131 is scheduled to be heard by this committee on Wednesday, 4/11 starting at 7:30 AM; it is critical that members hear from constituents - why this bill is important - improve kidney dialysis patients’ lives.
· Identify yourself and tell them if you are a constituent. Legislators pay more attention to constituents.
WHAT HB-1131 DOES
· Requires the state board of Health to adopt rules specifying the minimum training and competency standards for hemodialysis technicians and establishes a process to verify that technicians have been certified by a national credentialing program.
· Links this certification requirement to the licensing of dialysis treatment clinics; after the effective date - 1/1/09, a licensed dialysis clinic may not allow a person to practice unless that person is certified or in a training program working towards certification; provides 18 months for technician to be trained and certified.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, hemodialysis treatments have been administered by RNs but increasingly underpaid and poorly trained technicians have taken on this task. The results are rising costs and worsening patient care. Infections and mortality due to improperly administered treatments are increasing and the hospitalization of these patients place an undue burden on the Medicare system.
TALKING POINTS
· Compared to other industrialized nations, the U.S. far outpaces others’ in its hemodialysis mortality rates. “Gross mortality as a simple percent has been quoted by many investigators as being 24 percent in the U.S., 12–14 percent in Europe, and 9 percent in Japan.” – USRDS 2006 ADR
· Since 1991: children age 10–19, mortality due to infection – up 19% children age 10–19, cardiovascular mortality – up 62% USRDS 2006 ADR
· Infection rates from secondary sources due to dialysis treatments are also on the rise. Since 1993: Pneumonia – up 12%, Cellulitis – up 20%, Bacteremia/septicemia – up 16% USRDS 2006 ADR
· “…25 to 50 percent of all hemodialysis patient admissions and hospital days are attributable to vascular access placement and related complications, contributing over $1 billion to total Medicare inpatient costs annually.” Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services press release, March 17, 2005.
· Healthcare expenditures relating to dialysis treatments are skyrocketing. In 1991 expenditures totaled $8.0 billion. By 2001, costs had reached $22.8 billion almost triple earlier level of expenditures. USRDS 2003 ADR
· “Techs who do not have adequate training have caused the death of patients. In states that do not have tech licensing, the techs work under the RN license and that puts the RN at risk of losing their license for a tech mistake. Hence many RN's do not want to work in a unit where the techs are putting the RN license on the line.” Founding RN, DialysisEthics
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS (13)
Representative Bernie Buescher: 303-866-2583 Bernie.buescher.house@state.co.us
Representative Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780 Jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Representative Dorothy Butcher: 303-866-2968 Dorothy.butcher.house@state.co.us
Representative Michael Garcia: 303-866-3911 Michael@michaelgarcia.info
Representative Joel Judd: 303-866-2925 repjoeljudd@qwest.net
Representative James Kerr: 303-866-2939 James.kerr.house@state.co.us
Representative Tom Massey: 303-866-2747 Tom.massey.house@state.co.us
Representative Anne McGihon: 303-866-2921 Anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us
Representative Frank McNulty: 303-866-2936 Frank.mcnulty.house@state.co.us
Representative Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2953 Jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Representative Glen Vaad: 303-866-2943 Glen.vaad.house@state.co.us
Representative Paul Weissmann: 303-866-2920 reppaul@aol.com
Representative Al White: 303-866-2949 Al.white.house@state.co.us
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House bill 1131 passed out of the state house Appropriations committee 9-4!
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I just talked to my rep - Rep. John Kefalas - and he said it looks like this bill could go to the house floor within the next couple of days!
Colorado residents interested in supporting this bill can write or call their reps and can find contact info at:
Colorado_reps (http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2007A/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset)
For out-of-state people interested in writing or calling, I would suggest the following two contacts:
Rep. Andrew Romanoff
Speaker of the Colorado House
E-mail: romanoff@coloradohouse.org
Cap: 303-866-2346
Rep. Michael Garcia
Assistant Majority Leader of the Colorado House
michael@michaelgarcia.info
Cap: 303-866-3911
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Great job Plugger.
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Thanks Bill! I understand we should know something about the state house vote soon.
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It looks like we are on our way to the Colorado state Senate! The bill passed the house 42-23!
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:clap; :clap; :clap;
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I understand our Colorado State Senate hearing could be as soon as next week – I’ll post the date as soon as I get the date and time. We could use more help with people writing in - it is critical that members hear from constituents - why this bill is important - improve kidney dialysis patients’ lives. Identify yourself and tell them if you are a constituent. Legislators pay more attention to constituents. I should add Davita is recruiting people to testify against the bill and we just might need all the help we can get. But we have a few more people who say they are willing to testify for us – and we have another organization that has come down on our side and is lobbying on our behalf.
Thank you, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative!
http://cohealthinitiative.org/news/?page_id=2
Members of the Colorado State Health and Human Services committee are:
Senator Bob Hagedorn, Chair
Cap: 303-866-4879
E-mail: SenBob@msn.com
Senator Betty Boyd, Vice-Chair
Cap: 303-866-4857
E-mail: betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us
Senator Shawn Mitchell
Cap: 303-866-4876
E-mail: shawn.mitchell.senate@state.co.us
Senator John Morse
Cap: 303-866-6364
E-mail: john.morse.senate@state.co.us
Senator Scott Renfroe
Cap: 303-866-4451
E-mail: scott.renfroe.senate@state.co.us
Senator Paula Sandoval
Cap: 303-866-4862
E-mail: paula.sandoval.senate@state.co.us
Senator David Schultheis
Cap: 303-866-4835
E-mail: dave@daveschultheis.com
Senator Brandon Shaffer
Cap: 303-866-5291
E-mail: brandon@brandonshaffer.com
Senator Steve Ward
Cap: 303-866-4846
E-mail: steve.ward.senate@state.co.us
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The state Senate hearing will occur this Thursday April 26th at 1:30pm in room SCR 356 at the State Capitol in Denver. I talked to my State Senator this morning and he thought we had a good mix of people testifying for our side.
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The bill passed the Colorado state Senate Health and Human Services committee by a 5-4 vote! (it was along party lines with the Democrats voting for it and the Republicans against it). It should get through the appropriations committee today and then on to the state Senate floor.
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We passed the Colorado State Senate Appropriations Committee by a 9-1 vote! Thank you both Democrats and Republicans!
I understand there should be a 2nd reading tomorrow and an unofficial vote - then a final vote on Wednesday or Thursday - then to the Governor.
Last chance to have your say with our State Senators:
contact info:
Colorado_State_Senators (http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2007A/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset)
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YEA for our side :clap;
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It looks like our side just about hit one out of the park! We passed the state Senate 23-11! All that is left is for the Governor to sign it! I talked to my rep and he is pretty confident of that happening; he said he would get back to me if anything changes - so I guess I can stop the email blitz.
It has been quite a roller-coaster ride, but the end is in sight.
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:thumbup; I hope it goes through. With politicians it is not over until the ink is dry.
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Rerun,
I hear that! I won't feel completely save until the Governor puts his John Hancock on it, let's just say it is looking real good right now.
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We did it!!!! The governor signed the bill Thursday (May 31st)! It looks like we have more work ahead
of us, but the framework is now in place.
I got this from my state rep:
"Congratulations! HB-1131 was signed into law today. Good work and now we just need to make
sure that the law is implemented and enforced as we envisioned."
We didn't get a ceremony and I didn't get a pen - but I think I will get over it.
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WOOPIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Let's here it for Plugger!!! Hooray :yahoo; Good going Plugger, and thank you :bow;
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Thanks! But I really have to thank all the people who paved the way for our little group: Dr. Kenneth Bays from DialysisEthics (deceased) - who I spent many hours on the phone with, Brent Smith from DialysisEthics (deceased) - who testified at the 2000 Federal Senate hearings and was involved in the Arizona tech bill, Dale Ester from yahoo's Dialysis_Support (still with us - Thank God!) - also involved with the Arizona tech bill, Frank Brown (deceased) - involved with the Federal Senate 2000 hearing, Victor (deceased) - involved with DialysisEthics, FoundingRN from DialysisEthics and Patient Rights Advocacy (still around), and of course Arlene Mullin-Lane from DialysisEthics/Patient Rights Advocacy (still going) who has always been a phone call away. These are people I consider pioneers and I'm sorry if I missed anybody.
These people not only paved the way, but put the backbone in my backbone.
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I decided to tell the story of how the Colorado Hemodialysis Technician Training Standards bill came about. I just wanted to show how a small determined group of people got it done.
Besides the story I've also added a friend's response to the state report that almost shot us down and a fact sheet with some stats. I plan to add more but this will do for now.
I posted what I have at the new Patient Rights Advocacy healthcare forum where I'm a moderator. This is an organization that believes in the one-two punch of both legislation and legal action - not only for dialysis, but healthcare in general.
Patient Rights Advocacy link:
http://www.patientrightsadvocacy.org/index.php
My topic is in the Healthcare Forum, under "Dialysis Company" heading, and the "Colorado Tech bill story" topic.
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I’ve added a part 2 to my Colorado Tech bill story that contains an introduction I sent to many of the legislators around here – I thought it got a pretty good response. It is more in-depth than the fact sheet I posted in part 1 and has stats, a government report, an email, arguments, etc… I tried to give an overview of the industry and thought I would post it for anybody interested. I remember there was one legislator at one of the hearings ask “where is the fire?”. I think this might help show things are a little toasty!
Again, my topic is at:
Patient Rights Advocacy:
http://www.patientrightsadvocacy.org/index.php
My topic is in the Healthcare Forum, under "Dialysis Company" heading, and the "Colorado Tech bill story part 2" topic.
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plugger, while i know the Governor has signed this bill, when does it tale effect????
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Thegrammalady,
We were hoping to have all techs certified by January 2009, but now I'm hearing the board of health is going to want about six months to get their act together. So we maybe looking at July 2009.
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I also thought adding a part 3 to my Colorado tech bill story might be nice; it has some of the testimony given: there is Mary's testimony (a lady who spent a total of 11 1/2 years on dialysis), my daughter's testimony, and my testimony.
And again, the topics are at:
Patient Rights Advocacy:
http://www.patientrightsadvocacy.org/index.php
They are in the Healthcare Forum, under "Dialysis Company" heading, and the "Colorado Tech bill story part 3 - testimony" topic is the latest topic.
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Congrats, :yahoo; job well done. :2thumbsup; You have paved the way for others in their own states. These things seem to usually have a domino effect and I believe that in time millions will benefit from your hard work and dedication. :clap;
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Hey thanks! This has been an obsession with me for sometime; hopefully my brain will quit poking me with a sharp stick for awhile. I do hope this might make it easier for anybody else who might want to give it a try.
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I realized I was amiss in recognizing all the organizations that helped us with the Colorado tech bill - also thought some of these organizations might be helpful for anybody else who might want to try what we did, so I added a part 4 to the story I wrote:
Colorado_Tech_Bill_story_link (http://www.patientrightsadvocacy.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=07113f50786d45b10d201f17754cc2c3)