WRITE OR SEND SAMPLE LETTERS TO FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ABOUT AN INDUSTRY WITH THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD!  (sample letters and info at http://sky.prohosting.com/cschwab/ )

SUGGESTED SUBJECTS ARE LACK OF STANDARDS AND PASSAGE OF BILL HR1004 (PAYS FOR MORE FREQUENT DIALYSIS).

o Lack of Standards – High patient to staff ratios, lack of oversight, and inadequate training for staff are three problems that plague this industry.  Also inadequate treatments are paid the same as good treatments.  Paying for outcomes would give an incentive to give proper treatment.
o HR1004 – This is a federal house congressional bill that would pay for more frequent dialysis.  It doesn’t include duration or outcomes.  But together with standards, this would be a great bill.  Extensive clinical evidence from more than 300 papers shows more frequent dialysis (5 or more times a week) results in striking improvements in patient outcomes, particularly quality of life, and decreases total costs of care.  Benefits include:
    >Improved symptoms during and between treatments (less cramps, headaches, nausea, vomiting and post dialysis fatigue)
    >Improved opportunity for rehabilitation and return to work or school
    >Fewer hospitalizations and fewer hospital days.  (Potential 20-60% savings to Medicare Part A)
    >Reductions in the dose of intravenous drugs (EPO and Vitamin D).  (Potential 25-50% savings to Medicare Part B)
    >Reduction in the need for blood pressure drugs.  (50% to 75% reduction with consequent financial benefit to patients)

MORE INFORMATION - http://sky.prohosting.com/cschwab/
CONTACTS for HR1004 bill – go to the above website and click on one of the To write congress links or write:
         Rep. Marilyn Musgrave                            Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell      Senator Wayne Allard
         1208 Longworth House Office Building    380 Russell Senate Office Building    525 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
          Washington, D.C.  20515-0604              Washington, D.C.  20510-0605        Washington, D.C.  20510-0605

CONTACTS for Lack of Standards
Thomas Scully, CMS Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850 ------------- email:  TScully@cms.hhs.gov

Rachael Weinstein, RN Director, Clinical Standards Group
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850 -------------- email:  RWeinstein@cms.hhs.gov