Wilson Leads Bipartisan Call for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to Investigate Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions on Dialysis Services

Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) co-led a bipartisan call for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to investigate the impact of staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions on dialysis treatment.

"We have heard from constituents who have been warned about reduced treatment times, potentially jeopardizing their long-term health," the lawmakers wrote. "These issues are compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the threat that it poses to dialysis patients. As we continue to weather the economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic, we must ensure that comprehensive health care remains accessible to all Americans."

"We therefore urge CMS to investigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and staff shortages on dialysis treatment and report to Congress as to how we can best assist you in overcoming these challenges so that no patient has to face avoidable disruptions to their care," they continued. "We have an obligation to act in a manner that safeguards the health and wellness of all Americans. Congress remains ready to assist CMS by whatever means necessary to protect the care and treatment of our dialysis patients."

The letter was led by Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) and signed by Don Bacon (R-NE), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY) and William Timmons (R-SC). The National Kidney Foundation expressed support for the letter.

The full letter can be read here.