#To Whom It May Concern,
#Like many patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – or kidney failure – my diagnosis came as a shock.
#About a decade ago, I went to my doctor feeling ill. I discovered that my kidneys were failing and I had to get on dialysis, the costly but life-saving treatment which replaces my kidney function. I have been on dialysis ever since.
#My healthcare journey has been difficult, and many ESRD patients like me deal with financial challenges as a result of the diagnosis, too.
#I did not have health insurance upon beginning dialysis, so I enrolled in Medicare, which only covers 80% of the cost.
#ESRD patients who do have private insurance still endure economic hardships, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision allowing private health insurers to discriminate against dialysis patients.
#That decision allows insurers to force new dialysis patients onto Medicare almost immediately.
#This can reduce the quality of care and leave patients to pay the remaining 20% of treatment costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
#This financial burden can force many patients into debt and even bankruptcy.
#Therefore, Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV) must support the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, a bill which would ease the suffering of patients left out to dry by private insurance companies.
#Nobody should have to worry about being kicked off their insurance as a result of a diagnosis.
#Thank you,
#Chuck Lizer