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California Congressman Cardoza Visits Stockton Home Training Program
On January 4, U.S. Representative Dennis Cardoza from California and his Field Representative visited Stockton Home Training. The Congressman was greeted by several dialysis patients from the Stockton and Tokay home training programs. The Congressmen spent time with the program's Medical Director, ROD, and home training teammates learning about causes of kidney disease, dialysis treatment options, advantages of home dialysis and current legislative concerns relating to dialysis care and facility survey and certification.
After a tour of the facility, Rep. Cardoza spent some one-on-one time with patients. He listened to and answered questions about current and proposed health care policy as well as asked for additional feedback. One patient expressed her frustration over the requirement to enroll and pay for Medicare in addition to her health plan premiums because she has been on dialysis longer than 30 months. The Congressman asked his assistant to take notes specifically in regards to the current Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions and proposals.
In a follow-up note to Rep. Cardoza Trina Ensley, FA re-stated the challenge patients face regarding government decisions that impact their lives. She reinforced the renal community’s hope of extending the MSP policy from 30-42 months and how this change would positively impact patients, providers and the Medicare budget. In response Rep. Cardoza’s Field Representative replied stating, “The visit was very informative, and the Congressman shared some of the stories he heard at your center at a later meeting on healthcare. Thank you so much for giving us such a warm welcome.”
Thank you Stockton Home Training for a job well done!
(L to R) Greg Parker (Patient), Carmen Arrequive (Patient), Betty Star (Dietitian),
Congressman Cardozo, Steve Tabin (Patient), Trina Ensley (FA),
Ed Aguero (Patient), LuAnn Aakhus (ROD),
Richard Torres (Social Worker), and Sangita Patel (AA)
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