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US Dialysis Clinics Under Fire for Quality and Market Control
9 Dec
Summary
- Two companies control nearly 75% of U.S. dialysis clinics.
- Senator demands FTC release findings on dialysis industry probe.
- One-third of U.S. dialysis clinics failed federal standards recently.
A leading U.S. senator is calling for federal regulators to share the results of an investigation into the dialysis industry, where a near duopoly is alleged to have compromised critical patient care. Two companies now own almost 75% of the nation's dialysis clinics, prompting concerns about unlawful market power abuse.
Critics argue that these dominant companies have become excessively profit-driven, potentially impacting the tailored treatment essential for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Recent data indicates that approximately one-third of dialysis clinics nationwide have failed to meet federal standards, citing issues such as poor hygiene and inadequate training.
The senator has requested robust enforcement action to protect patients, including veterans, from alleged misconduct. While the companies assert a commitment to high-quality care, industry experts and a CBS News investigation suggest a correlation between consolidation and declining patient outcomes, including increased hospitalizations and infection rates.
