NWKC Joins Advocates to Protect Medicaid Reimbursement Rates

Kidney dialysis is life-sustaining treatment for more than 16,000 Washingtonians. Yet a recent decision by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for kidney dialysis by 30% put statewide access to that care in jeopardy.

Kidney dialysis providers across the state are already under financial pressure. This rate cut threatened to force clinic closures, reduce treatment options, and drive more patients to already overburdened emergency rooms.

We broke it down in our recent op-ed in the Everett Herald: Comment: State agency’s cut would limit access to dialysis

In September, we joined efforts with kidney dialysis providers around the state and called on our champions to email Governor Ferguson, urging him to reverse this harmful decision, and to contact local legislators to explain how it could impact dialysis patients and providers in their districts.

And we made an impact.

Thank you to the kidney dialysis provider community and the following Washington State legislators for their support in sending a letter to Governor Ferguson and HCA. Because of their tireless efforts, HCA reduced the final rate cut from 30% to 15%.

·       Rep. Andrew Barkis, 2nd Legislative District

·       Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, 4th Legislative District

·       Rep. Mike Volz, 6th Legislative District

·       Rep. Mike Volz, 6th Legislative District

·       Sen. Shelly Short, 7th Legislative District

·       Rep. Hunter Abell, 7th Legislative District

·       Rep. Andrew Engell, 7th Legislative District

·       Sen. Matt Boehnke, 8th Legislative District

·       Rep. Stephanie Barnard, 8th Legislative District

·       Rep. Joe Schmick, 9th Legislative District

·       Sen. Ron Muzzall, 10th Legislative District

·       Rep. Mike Steele, 12th Legislative District

·       Sen. Judy Warnick, 13th Legislative District

·       Rep. Alex Ybarra, 13th Legislative District

·       Rep. Tom Dent, 13th Legislative District

·       Sen. Curtis King, 14th Legislative District

·       Rep. Deb Manjarrez, 14th Legislative District

·       Sen. Nikki Torres, 15th Legislative District

·       Rep. Chris Corry, 15th Legislative District

·       Rep. Jeremie Dufault, 15th Legislative District

·       Rep. Skyler Rude, 16th Legislative District

·       Sen. Perry Dozier, 16th Legislative District

·       Rep. Mark Klicker, 16th Legislative District

·       Sen. Paul Harris, 17th Legislative District

·       Rep. John Ley, 18th Legislative District

·       Sen. John Braun, 20th Legislative District

·       Rep. Peter Abbarno, 20th Legislative District

·       Sen. Chris Gildon, 25th Legislative District

·       Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, 25th Legislative District

·       Rep. Michelle Caldier, 26th Legislative District

·       Rep. Travis Couture, 35th Legislative District

·       Sen. Keith Wagoner, 39th Legislative District

·       Sen. Vandana Slatter, 48th Legislative District

While the 15% rate cut is still significant, we look forward to maintaining an open line of communication with Governor Ferguson and HCA on solutions in the future.