The Rhode Island governor has signed a new law which impacts the state's Medicare program.
The new requirement is that Medicare supplement policies must be offered to all patients regardless of age who are eligible by reason of disability, including end-stage renal disease.
“Too many Rhode Islanders have been overwhelmed by the cost of dialysis — a burden they are forced to shoulder during a very difficult time,” said Senator Dennis Algiere. “Dialysis patients comprise an extremely vulnerable population, with 85 percent of patients relying on Medicare to fund their treatments. This is a bill that will not only improve the physical health of many Rhode Islanders, but their financial health as well.”
In Rhode Island, about 1,700 patients need either multiple weekly dialysis or a kidney transplant just to stay alive.
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