Bilirakis Bill to Help End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), along with Representatives Jason Smith (MO), John Lewis (GA), Kurt Schrader (OR), and Tom Marino (PA) today introduced legislation to help patients with End Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD.

H.R. 5659, the Expanding Seniors Receiving Dialysis' Choice Act of 2016, or ESRD Choice Act, will remove restrictions preventing ESRD patients from receiving the care they need.

There are more than 640,000 Americans living with kidney failure, known as End Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD. The overwhelming majority of people with kidney failure, regardless of their age, rely on Medicare for their life sustaining dialysis treatments. However, patients with a pre-existing condition of ESRD are currently the only group of beneficiaries specifically denied the ability to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. These plans allow the flexibility, and better, affordable care to address unique patient needs.

"With this legislation, we can give ESRD patients access to the care they need, and empower patients to make their own health care decisions," said Congressman Bilirakis. "Medicare Advantage offers better integrated care, flexibility, and financial protections, and these vulnerable ESRD patients deserve access to such care. Our legislation helps remove unnecessary barriers and allows patients to choose a plan that best fits their needs."

"Patients suffering from ESRD are those most in need of the affordable, high-quality care Medicare Advantage offers. Unfortunately, they've been denied that access since the program was created in 2003, and have been forced to accept traditional Medicare. That's why I'm pleased to introduce the ESRD Choice Act with a group of bipartisan colleagues. The legislation helps ensure some of our most vulnerable beneficiaries can benefit from a program that has proven to improve millions of lives," added Congressman Smith. "I'm especially encouraged that with this bill, low-income beneficiaries will have the option to choose a plan with maximum-out-of-pocket limits, which will provide the financial certainty they need. These are the bipartisan solutions Americans deserve, and these are the solutions I will continue to deliver as we work to improve our health care system."

Read text of the legislation here.