U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act on Apr. 20, aiming to improve care for Americans on Medicare who receive dialysis treatment.
The legislation seeks to change current Medicare policy that prevents people with end stage renal disease from continuing dialysis while entering palliative hospice care. The bill would allow these patients to continue their treatment, access hospice services, and spend time with family in comfort.
“The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act gives patients greater choice and accessibility to care while they receive their critical dialysis treatments,” said Rep. Mike Kelly. “It’s a practical solution for both patients in what is often one of the most trying times of their life.” Rep. Suzan DelBene said, “At the end-of-life, patients with kidney failure often have to choose between hospice care or continuing dialysis, making them half as likely to receive hospice care than patients with other end-stage diagnoses.” She added, “Hospice care is meant to provide comfort and dignity for people nearing the end of life, but for patients in kidney failure this decision is much more complicated. Our bipartisan bill addresses this issue and ensures patients have access to therapies that improve comfort at the end of life.”
Monica Massaro, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance (NKCA), said: “Medicare patients with ESRD deserve a choice in all aspects of their care, including end-of-life… NKCA is grateful to Representatives Kelly and DelBene for their leadership in sponsoring the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, which will provide a dignified end-of-life experience for patients and their families.” Tom DeBord, President & CEO of Puget Sound Kidney Centers urged Congress “to pass this important legislation to ensure dialysis patients have the choice to elect hospice with the knowledge that dialysis treatment… will be available as needed.” Doug Johnson, MD from Dialysis Clinic Inc., described an eight-year pilot program offering concurrent hospice and dialysis in Western Pennsylvania: “We applaud Rep. Kelly’s leadership on this important issue to allow all individuals on dialysis to make the choice that’s right for them.”
According to public records, Mike Kelly has represented Pennsylvania’s 16th district since replacing Kathy Dahlkemper in 2011; he was born in Pittsburgh in 1948 and lives in Butler.He graduated from Notre Dame with a BA degree.
The proposed act would clarify coverage under Medicare for palliative dialysis services as well as separate payment structures when such services are provided alongside hospice care.
