Dialysis Patient Citizens

Dialysis Patient Citizens
Founded2004
FounderDialysis and pre-dialysis patients
FocusWorking to improve dialysis patient quality of life by elevating the voice of patients with policy makers.
Location
  • 1001 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1230
    Washington, DC 20036
Area served
United States
MethodEducation and Advocacy
Members
28,000
Key people
Andrew Conkling
President of the Board
WebsiteOfficial Website

Dialysis Patient Citizens is a U.S. non-profit organization based in our nation's capital dedicated to improving dialysis citizens’ quality of life by advocating for favorable public policy.

History

Dialysis Patient Citizens was founded in 2004 with the stated goals of advocating for self-care, fostering and strengthening partnerships among patients and caregivers, achieving adequate dialysis-related funding, and ensuring up-to-date, optimal clinical protocols.

Membership

Currently, DPC has 28,000 members. Membership is free and open to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and their families. Members have the opportunity to take part in guiding the organization's policies and mission.[1]

Organization

DPC is a patient-led organization. The Board of Directors is made up of patients currently on dialysis or who have been on dialysis, but now have a kidney transplant. Through membership surveys, DPC members can help set the organization's advocacy and education priorities. Membership can also provide input into the organization's Board-approved public policies. The national organization is overseen by a Board of Directors, which is currently headed by Andrew Conkling. Board members are elected to two-year terms. DPC's bylaws require the President, Vice President and a majority of its Board to be current dialysis patients.[2]

Goals

The stated long-term goals of DPC are to be an organization that plays an advisory role to the United States Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and dialysis providers and that works to achieve superior education for dialysis and pre-dialysis patients.[3]

Advocacy

DPC brings patients to Washington, DC every year and have held more than 1,000 meetings with Members of Congress and their staff through these efforts to increase public awareness of dialysis issues.

Patient Ambassadors

DPC Patient Ambassadors are volunteers throughout the United States who advocate on kidney care issues. DPC educates Patient Ambassadors on how to advocate for dialysis patients through regular Patient Ambassador calls. DPC has held Patient Ambassador Meetings on a wide range of topics including transplantation, Medicare Part D, Medigap, charitable assistance and health disparities.[4]

State Dialysis Days

DPC State Dialysis Days are held throughout the year in various states. DPC Patient Ambassadors, dialysis patients or family members of dialysis patients, and DPC Staff meet with state legislators at the State Capitols to educate lawmakers about matters of importance to dialysis care. DPC has participated in state advocacy efforts across the country.

References

  1. ↑ "Join DPC | Dialysis Patient Citizens". Dialysispatients.org. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  2. ↑ "Board of Directors | Dialysis Patient Citizens". Dialysispatients.org. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-12-31. Retrieved 2009-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Patient Ambassadors | Dialysis Patient Citizens". Dialysispatients.org. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
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