In September, the American Thoracic Society joined other medical organizations in a sign-on letter prepared by the National Kidney Foundation to state Medicaid directors urging Medicaid to allow scheduled dialysis coverage of non-citizens. “While this may seem like a nephrology issue,” said ATS Health Policy Committee Vice-Chair, Stuart Sweet, MD, “The ATS Health Policy Committee unanimously agreed to sign the letter, noting that if patients don’t get needed regular dialysis, they end up in the critical care unit as our patients. Changing this policy will prevent avoidable sickness and health care costs.” In over 35 states, the emergency department is virtually the only-safety net available to undocumented people with kidney failure. Only Illinois covers the cost of kidney transplants for uninsured undocumented immigrants.
Other signatories included:
- American College of Physicians Colorado Chapter
- American Society of Nephrology
- Endocrine Society
- Home Dialyzors United
- Kidney Care Partners
- National Kidney Foundation
- Renal Physicians Association
- Society of General Internal Medicine
- Society of Hospital Medicine
