AAKP recently sent a letter to Sen. John Kerry (D - Massachusetts) asking him to support a Medicare sponsored home hemodialysis program. Home hemodialysis may be a better treatment option for many patients but is under-utilized. Only about 3,000 patients use home hemodialysis as a treatment even though the therapy is known to produce better patient outcomes, saves on cost and allow patients to take charge of their healthcare. 
 
"We know more patients would like to take advantage of home hemodialysis, but current Medicare reimbursement discourages this lower cost option," says Kris Robinson, AAKP Executive Director/CEO. "That is why we are asking for Senator Kerry's support for a home hemodialysis pilot program in Medicare that would establish the benefits and lower costs of home dialysis."
 
Please visit the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org, to read AAKP's letter to Sen. Kerry.

This article originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of AAKP Public Policy Briefing.