Win For HHC Dialysis Patients!

The state removed the application of Big Apple Dialysis Management, LLC from the agenda of the scheduled March 27 meeting of the NYS Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council, due to efforts by the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Big Apple is a for-profit dialysis company that wants to take over four chronic dialysis facilities now within New York City’s public hospital system. But patients, caregivers, nurses, doctors, and elected leaders have united to stop the privatization of chronic dialysis services at HHC.

“Removing dialysis patients from the public hospital clinics is ill-conceived,” said Anne Bové, RN, president of the HHC Executive Council of the New York State Nurses Association. “A for-profit company with a problematic track record in these services will not provide the same level of quality care to our patients and we question whether the savings figures are accurate, as well.”

Our work is not done! The application was removed from the agenda at the last hearing — that’s a big deal — but it could still come back at a later meeting. The next hearing is scheduled for May 22in New York City, and we all need to be there to protect our patients!