Article Overview: The Importance of Public/Private Health Partnerships
We can all agree that the current health care system is flawed. While reform is imperative, it is important to keep in mind how changes could affect our patients—especially highly vulnerable patients such as those with end stage renal disease. In a recent Townhall editorial, Public/Private Health Partnerships Are Lifesavers, Peter Roff reviews the public/private health partnership program created by Congress in 1972 (in which Medicare and commercial payers each play a role in providing insurance coverage to dialysis patients) and the detrimental effects dialysis patients could experience if this program were to be cut. Many commercial payers are already trying to push their dialysis patients prematurely to Medicare, when many of these patients would more greatly benefit from remaining on commercial insurance.
Raising awareness on this topic is very important. Throughout the ongoing debate on health care reform, we must protect our patients and ensure their needs are being prioritized. Commercial payers should be held accountable to covering their dialysis beneficiaries and the public/private partnerships should be maintained.
Please take a minute to read Roff’s article here and pass along to colleagues and friends who may find this interesting.
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