Smith introduces bipartisan Home Dialysis Risk Prevention Act

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) on May 5 introduced the Home Dialysis Risk Prevention Act, H.R. 3118, to ensure access to monitoring devices for patients with kidney disease undergoing home dialysis.

Specifically, H.R. 3118 would amend the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of monitoring devices to detect and alarm hemodialysis patients and caregivers when a venous needle dislodgement (VND) occurs during home dialysis.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) signed on as original cosponsor of the bipartisan bill, which was referred to both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means.

“As more and more patients receive care in the comfort of their homes, we must have the appropriate policies in place to ensure patient safety,” Rep. Smith said. “The Home Dialysis Risk Prevention Act will help improve safety for home dialysis patients by monitoring for venous needle dislodgement, a serious-but-preventable complication, and I thank Representative Stansbury for partnering with me on this important bill.”

The legislation has the support of the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).

“AAKP is a longtime champion for greater care choice and access to home dialysis because it offers patients far greater flexibility to pursue their aspirations, including part-time or full-time work,” said AAKP President Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC. “Patients, especially those performing dialysis at home without a caregiver, have identified venous needle dislodgement as a real risk to mitigate and a barrier to expanded home dialysis. AAKP offers our sincere gratitude, and full support, to Representatives Adrian Smith and Melanie Stansbury for listening keenly to patient insights and for developing bipartisan legislation that addresses their safety concerns through innovation and facilitates the wider use of home dialysis.”