According to a news release from the congressman’s office, Rep. Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, visited DaVita Yucca Valley Monday, responding to proposed government cuts to Medicare payments for dialysis care.
Rep. Paul Cook visits with DaVita Yucca Valley staff – Courtesy Rep. Paul Cook’s office
DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., which provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease (ESRD). In the High Desert, DaVita serves more than 500 patients and has facilities in Yucca Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Apple Valley.
Cook’s visit comes on the heels of signing onto a letter last month to Marilyn Tavenner, the Administrator of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services. In the bipartisan letter, Cook joined approximately 200 of his colleagues in the US House of Representatives, in expressing concerns about proposed cuts to Medicare payments for dialysis care.
Cook wrote, “A payment cut of the magnitude proposed would result in the closure of dialysis facilities currently delivering high quality services to Medicare’s most vulnerable patient population. Failing to cover the cost of care would reverse significant strides made in improving the quality of care and mortality for dialysis patients.”
During his visit, Cook was part of DaVita’s Veterans Day ceremony honoring patients and staff who are veterans. He also had the opportunity to tour the facility. DaVita officials were on hand to thank him for speaking out against proposed cuts.
Said Cook, “Many veterans depend on the services DaVita provides. It’s important that we ensure our veterans continue to have access to dialysis care.”
Visit Congressman Cook’s online site for more information at http://cook.house.gov.
A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.
