AAKP President Brenda Dyson, "The Grassley-Baucus bill supports a long-time AAKP goal that dialysis quality be linked to Medicare payment. But we know quality is not free – and believe Congress and Medicare now need to step up and improve Medicare payments."

TAMPA, Fla. – In a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) (text of letter below), AAKP strongly endorsed their bill, the “Medicare Value Purchasing Act of 2005," to improve the nation's 3,500 dialysis facilities by linking Medicare payments to quality performance and outcomes.

AAKP President Brenda Dyson stated, "For more than 35 years, AAKP has been a ‘consumer advocate’ for the nation's kidney patients – fighting for quality, access, and affordability of medical care for our fellow patients.

"AAKP believes the Grassley-Baucus bill is a new chapter in American health care – demanding that the nation’s single largest payer of health care, the Medicare program, obtain proven value – and better quality – for each dollar.

"Like all Americans, AAKP’s members expect accountability and quality in any purchase decision, including their health care services. Isn’t that just common sense?

Dyson continued, "But better quality can cost more money and is certainly not free. We believe Congress needs to improve payments to dialysis facilities – and we are especially concerned about rural and inner city facilities."

In May, AAKP recommended specific improvements to dialysis facility operations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – and that CMS increase funding to dialysis facilities to underwrite the cost of improvements.

AAKP’s position on Medicare quality was also described in an October 2004 Nephrology News and Issues article, entitled “The quality imperative: Why the kidney community must take charge.”

Text of AAKP’s letter of support to Senators Grassley and Baucus on "Medicare Value Purchasing Act of 2005”:

June 28, 2005

The Honorable Charles Grassley
The Honorable Max Baucus
Committee on Finance
United States Senate
219 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510-6200

Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Baucus:

On behalf of the American Association of Kidney Patients, I am pleased to write in strong support of your forthcoming bill, the "Medicare Value Purchasing Act of 2005." We believe your legislation presages a new chapter in American health care – demanding that the nation’s single largest payer of health care, the Medicare program, obtain proven value for each dollar. AAKP has long supported linking Medicare reimbursement to quality of care for the nation’s kidney patients, and your legislation helps realize this goal. Indeed, given that Medicare pays for 75 percent of all dialysis treatments, Medicare has a special role in ensuring quality dialysis care.

Let me also recognize again your earlier efforts on behalf of kidney patients. Last year, Senator Baucus sent a strong message about the importance of dialysis facility quality in S. 2562, “Medicare Quality Improvement Act of 2004.” In 2001, Senator Grassley chaired hearings in the Senate Aging Committee that exposed that Medicare’s standards for dialysis facilities had not been updated in 25 years – which helped prompt CMS to publish the pending proposed new standards. And in 2003 Senator Grassley put CMS on notice that its lack of State surveys of dialysis facilities was unacceptable. And, of course, in 2003, AAKP awarded Senator Grassley our Congressional Leadership Medal, to recognize his efforts to improve kidney patient care.

With the “Medicare Value Purchasing Act of 2005,” AAKP appreciates your continued advocacy on behalf of kidney patients. Of course, as expected with any legislative proposal, further refinements may be desirable. AAKP believes that to ensure quality medical care for kidney patients we must examine the responsibilities of all providers – not just dialysis facilities. AAKP is concerned about the adequacy of Medicare provider payments (including the lack of statutory updates for the composite rate) and access to care in rural and inner city areas. We look forward to further dialogue with you and your staffs.

Thank you for your good work. If AAKP can be helpful, please do not hesitate to contact Kris Robinson, AAKP’s Executive Director (800-749-2257), or Dr. Alexander Vachon, AAKP’s Public Policy Consultant in Washington D.C. (202-667-1193).

Sincerely,
Brenda Dyson
AAKP President

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for more than 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.

# # #

To view this press release in Adobe Acrobat format, please click here.