Kelly, DelBene introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, legislation that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes for Americans on Medicare who receive dialysis treatment.

Currently, Americans living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are not permitted to continue their dialysis treatment under Medicare to enter palliative hospice care. This legislation would amend Medicare policy to allow for Americans to continue their treatment, enter hospice, and be with their family pain-free.

"The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act gives patients greater choice and accessibility to care while they receive their critical dialysis treatments," said Rep. Kelly. "It's a practical solution for both patients in what is often one of the most trying times of their life."

“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,” said Rep. DelBene. “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.”

“Medicare patients with ESRD deserve a choice in all aspects of their care, including end-of-life”, said Monica Massaro, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance (NKCA). “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.”

“Puget Sound Kidney Centers commends Representatives Kelly and DelBene for their leadership in introducing The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act,” said Tom DeBord, President & CEO of Puget Sound Kidney Centers. “We urge Congress to pass this important legislation to ensure dialysis patients have the choice to elect hospice with the knowledge that dialysis treatment, not “maintenance dialysis,” will be available as needed to address symptom management and provide comfort as they approach the end of life.”

“Currently, people receiving dialysis care, despite a strong clinical need for hospice, have limited access because they must make the excruciating decision to stop dialysis before they can receive hospice services. In Western Pennsylvania, we have piloted a concurrent hospice and dialysis program for eight years offering more individuals the opportunity to pass away in comfort with their family compared to most Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis. 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,” said Doug Johnson, MD, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, Dialysis Clinic Inc.

BACKGROUND

The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act would clarify the policy for coverage under the Medicare program for palliative dialysis services, and clarify separate payment for such palliative dialysis services, furnished by renal dialysis facilities and providers of services to certain individuals electing hospice care.

Rep. Kelly is strong advocate on Capitol Hill for kidney and dialysis patients. He leads the RESTORE Act, which ensures that individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) continue to have equitable access to private healthcare.

You can read the full bill text here.