NN&I - August 2010
Empowerment August 2010 Nephrology News & Issues 35Subscribe to our free eNewsletter at www.nephronline.com Self-advocacy on the roadI recently had the honor and privi-lege to attend a "Day on the Hill" as a patient representative at the request of the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA). When I was first asked to make the trip to Washington D.C., I wondered how much of a voice I would truly have as a "patient" when it came to speaking with the staff mem-bers of our countries' Senators and Congressional Representatives. I was able to attend a one-day meeting with the NRAA and spend the next day in our nation's capitol in meetings with staff members of Representative Henry Waxman, who is the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and my state Representatives Linda Sanchez and Loretta Sanchez. I am glad to report that I found each staff member we met to be both receptive and engaged when it came to our concerns. Each staff member took notes and asked penetrating questions. As a patient I felt that my concerns car-ried a lot of weight in our discussions. We all know that the proposed bundled payment system is on the horizon, and it will affect the clinics and the patients in many ways, some of which are uncer-tain at this time. This is a scary proposi-tion for all of us, but it was very encour-aging to see that those that make these very tough decisions are actually hear-ing our voices. We were able to address the inclusion of laboratory tests in the bundle, which could subject patients with end-stage renal disease to have to pay out of pocket for these tests. We were also able to address with the staff members the inclusion of oral drugs without intravenous equivalence in the bundle and a 3% reduction in reim-bursement to the clinics during the transition timeframe. Another point of Mr. Carr is from Orange, Calif., and is a 10-year+ hemodialysis patient who stays involved in the renal community.A patient's trip to Washington, D.C.By Thomas Carr Empowerment_NNI-0810_8.indd 35 7/15/10 5:50:42 PM
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