Sen. Oropeza bill preserves federal funding to help kidney patients
California Political Desk
February 01, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Those who receive treatment for kidney ailments would benefit most under a bill introduced today by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza to bring California into compliance with new federal regulations.
Senate Bill 112 would continue Medicare funding by ensuring the state´s 5,000 hemodialysis technicians remain certified under federal regulations issued last year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
"By working closely with the California Dialysis Council, we hope to protect the health of Californians who receive these life-saving treatments," Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said. "Uninterrupted dialysis care will keep the state´s hemodialysis technicians on the job helping those in need. Without this training, patients would be forced to seek more expensive care in a hospital—or to go without treatment."
Specifically, SB 112 would ensure technicians certified under California´s Hemodialysis Technician Training Act of 1982, the first of its kind in the nation, remain qualified health-care providers.
While the exact amount of federal funds at stake is unknown, medical experts estimate it to be in the millions.
The deadline for technicians meet the new federal requirements is April 2010.
Senate Bill 112 would continue Medicare funding by ensuring the state´s 5,000 hemodialysis technicians remain certified under federal regulations issued last year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
"By working closely with the California Dialysis Council, we hope to protect the health of Californians who receive these life-saving treatments," Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said. "Uninterrupted dialysis care will keep the state´s hemodialysis technicians on the job helping those in need. Without this training, patients would be forced to seek more expensive care in a hospital—or to go without treatment."
Specifically, SB 112 would ensure technicians certified under California´s Hemodialysis Technician Training Act of 1982, the first of its kind in the nation, remain qualified health-care providers.
While the exact amount of federal funds at stake is unknown, medical experts estimate it to be in the millions.
The deadline for technicians meet the new federal requirements is April 2010.