WASHINGTON, DC—  Today, the Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition (DVAC) is voicing its strong objections to the latest proposed cuts outlined in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule, recently released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As drafted, it would lead to yet another substantial reduction in vascular access services in 2024.

DVAC has previously issued warnings that neglecting to prevent these successive year cuts will result in further closures of office-based specialty care, exacerbate the healthcare consolidation crisis, and undermine health equity. DVAC remains concerned that dialysis patients will bear the brunt of these cuts and is calling on Congress to step in. 

DVAC is asking Congress to pass the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 (H.R. 3674) to remedy the actions of CMS.

Dr. Dean Preddie, DVAC’s policy chair, said, “Should the proposed rule remain unchanged, it will significantly curtail patient access to life-saving care. The end  result will be the closure of vascular access centers due to insufficient reimbursement levels. We have witnessed the impacts of this distressing scenario before, and we understand its dire consequences. DVAC is urging Congress to work with CMS on fundamental reforms and to reject these new cuts to the MPFS.  Patients and office-based providers need Congress to pass H.R. 3674 to protect access to quality care and close the health equity gap.”

The Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition (DVAC) is a coalition of medical specialty societies, physicians, and vascular access centers of excellence (VACs) in the office and ASC setting that provide vascular access services to individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). VACs treat more than half of a million cases per year across the country in a safe, specialized, patient-preferred setting. DVAC represents more than 50% of the non-hospital sector.

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