Rush Urges HHS, CMS to Expedite Home Dialysis Options in Order to Protect Patients, Healthcare Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON — In a recent letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) requested that both agencies look for solutions to safely expedite the option of home dialysis in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Dialysis patients who contract the coronavirus are at higher risk of negative complications due to their underlying medical conditions.  This presents a particular problem for black patients, who are less likely to use at home dialysis than other racial and ethnic groups and are therefore more likely to require in person treatments multiple times a week.  During this pandemic, these patients find themselves facing increased risks as a result,” said Rep. Rush.  “Additionally, I remain concerned for the health and safety of the frontline workers at these clinics, especially since necessary medical supplies to ensure their protection are seemingly in short supply.

“Although I remain cautiously optimistic about the administration’s efforts to have 80 percent of new patients receive dialysis treatment in the home by 2025, it is paramount — now more than ever — that we work together to make it easier for patients to receive dialysis treatments at home when possible.”

In his letter, Rep. Rush asked what policies the agencies have implemented, or are considering, to expedite safe home dialysis options for both new and current dialysis patients.  He also requested information on what actions each agency is taking to ensure that patients and frontline providers have the resources they need both when in clinics and in transit.

A copy of Rep. Rush’s letter can be found here.

In September of last year, Rep. Rush called on HHS and CMS to consider the impact of both current and future policies on vulnerable populations receiving dialysis treatment and expressed particular concern with the rapid explosion of dialysis centers in poorer, largely minority communities.