FL S1810

Recognizes that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) affects 661,000 Americans with 7,500 new cases diagnosed annually in Florida, and that dialysis and transplant are the only treatments available.

Notes that home hemodialysis (HHD) and home peritoneal dialysis (PD) provide economic and lifestyle advantages including greater autonomy, reduced transportation dependence, and higher employment rates compared to clinic-based treatment.

Identifies that only 10 percent of dialysis patients receive home treatment, and that minorities experience significantly lower access rates: African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to have ESRD than Caucasians and 17-29 percent less likely to receive home dialysis options.

Highlights that removing the 3-month Medicare waiting period for Medicaid patients could save states approximately $43 million annually by eliminating costs during the first 3 months of dialysis treatment.

Encourages state agencies and policymakers to implement policies addressing barriers to home dialysis access, including telehealth expansion, medical waste law reform, increased reimbursement levels, and staff-assisted HHD pathways to reduce disparities among minorities.