The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on May 21 voted to advance legislation led by U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) that would provide Medicare reimbursements for additional home dialysis support services.
“I am happy to see my bill passed out of committee and is now one step closer to full floor consideration by the House of Representatives,” said Rep. Miller, sponsor of the Improving Home Dialysis Act of 2026, H.R. 8875.
If enacted, H.R. 8875 would permit Medicare to reimburse for additional services such as staff-assisted home dialysis services to assist with home dialysis education and instances of physical limitations; and renal mental health support services to better support the transition to home dialysis and promote kidney transplantation.
“If you are a home dialysis patient, you should have the same access to quality support services as someone receiving dialysis in-center. Patients should not be penalized for choosing a modality that often provides greater flexibility, independence, and quality of life,” Rep. Miller said. “This bill is an important step toward improving patient-centered kidney care, supporting caregivers, and helping more Americans successfully transition to and remain on home dialysis.”
H.R. 8875, which has garnered support from the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology, is now on its way to the full chamber for consideration.
Following the markup and vote, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) thanked Rep. Miller for her advocacy for dialysis patients, and for finding new ways to make treatment less burdensome for America’s 500,000 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients.
“The Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from Americans who spoke to the benefits and flexibility that changed their lives after switching to home dialysis, but many Americans suffering from ESRD are still forced to travel multiple times per week to a dialysis center,” Rep. Smith said. “This bill ensures that more ESRD patients have the freedom and to receive safe treatment with the help of a trusted professional in the comfort of their own home.”