Since 1962, when we opened as the world’s first out-of-hospital dialysis provider, Northwest Kidney Centers has provided critical lifesaving dialysis care to some of Washington’s most vulnerable residents. As a non-profit serving 85% of patients with end-stage renal disease in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Clallam counties, we put patients first, ensuring they get the treatment they need to survive. But to ensure patients get the care they count on, we need lawmakers to protect key healthcare programs.
On March 18, more than 30 Northwest Kidney Centers staff, patients, volunteers, community partners, and donors traveled to Olympia, Wash., to speak with legislators about the urgent issues facing kidney patients across the state. Our conversations focused on maintaining funding for Medicaid and the state-funded Kidney Disease Program, and protecting the state’s Certificate of Need process.
‘I will die’ if funding goes away
More than 400 Northwest Kidney Centers patients rely on Medicaid funding for life-saving dialysis, and over 150 rely on the state’s Kidney Disease Program to overcome financial barriers related to treatment. Every day, patients tell us that without this financial support they would not be able to afford treatment. When patients can’t afford treatment, they do not go and end up in the emergency room, or worse – dying.
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature increased the Medicaid reimbursement for dialysis by 30%, and we urge legislators to maintain that reimbursement rate for the next biennium. We also urge them to maintain the funding set aside in 2024 for Apple Health Expansion, which increased access to optimal treatment options like transplant for those in our state impacted by kidney disease. Maintaining this funding will literally mean the difference between life and death.
Everyone should have access to kidney care
Washington’s Certificate of Need (CoN) process is a regulatory mechanism designed to ensure healthcare facilities and services are available to communities that need them. It ensures dialysis services are fairly distributed and that underserved areas of the state have access to this lifesaving care.
We believe patients should have options on where to get their care. Northwest Kidney Centers’ mission is to serve everyone, including patients who would otherwise be left behind. CoN enables small nonprofits, like Northwest Kidney Centers, to compete and offer patients a choice in a care space dominated by large dialysis organizations.
It’s an urgent matter
Dialysis is the part-time job that no one signs up for – in fact, nearly 80% of dialysis patients find their four-hour, three-times-a-week treatment schedule makes it impossible to work. These are members of our community – our family, friends and neighbors – who need our support now. If you’d like to help, please contact your representative today and let them know you care about protecting funding for kidney care in Washington state. Find your legislator at https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.