TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6

Congress can help dialysis patients

As a registered nurse and a group facility administrator, I care for patients in the Memphis community who require life-sustaining dialysis treatment. Dialysis cleans patients’ blood of toxins that the kidneys can no longer filter. This treatment is performed three times per week, four hours at a time.

People on dialysis tend to have multiple other health conditions, take 19 or more medications per day, and are admitted to the hospital 11 days per year. In addition, they spend lots of time navigating a very complex health care system. Integrated care could assist with coordinating all the needs for patients requiring dialysis, both inside and outside the centers.

That’s why I recently visited U.S. Email letters to letters@commercial appeal.com; mail Letters to the Editor, The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union, Memphis, TN 38103; or click on the “Submit Letter” link on the Opinion page atcommercialappeal.com. Rep. David Kustoff in Washington to urge him to co-sponsor the Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act (H.R. 4143/S. 2065). The PATIENTS Act is a win-win-win for patients, taxpayer and providers. Patients would receive support navigating the health care system and reduce spending.

Mr. Kustoff visited our dialysis patients in April 2017 and heard firsthand how integrated care could help improve quality of life. I urge him to support integrated care for patients by cosponsoring the PATIENTS Act.

Amy Bennett, Memphis