How Medicare Could Put Kidney Patients at Risk in 2025 and Beyond…

&   Kidney failure is a life-altering condition affecting approximately 800,000 Americans, forcing over 550,000 of them to depend on dialysis for survival by replacing the role of the kidney and removing many of the toxins from their body. As part of this vital treatment, patients typically spend three to four hours at a dialysis center, three times a week. These sessions are incredibly taxing for patients and caregivers, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, dialysis doesn’t remove enough phosphorus from the blood for most patients. As a result, approximately 80% of patients develop a condition called hyperphosphatemia (HP), which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and even death. Managing phosphorus levels is one of the hardest challenges kidney patients face every day. Kidney patients manage their phosphorus levels with a mix of diet, dialysis, and medications called phosphate-lowering therapies (PLTs), which are essential to lowering phosphorus levels. However, managing phosphorus can be complicated and requires persistent monitoring and evaluation to provide the best possible outcomes.  Now, a Medicare policy change could make it harder for patients to get the medications they need. I have spent decades of my career working to develop the most effective and innovative treatments for patients...