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Representative Johnson visit dialysis patients to find a way to help them

DaVita Dialysis has an act that they are working on to get passed through legislation they invited U.S. Representative Mike Johnson to see the day to day operations. ArkLaTex

DaVita Dialysis has an act that they are working on to get passed through legislation they invited U.S. Representative Mike Johnson to see the day to day operations.

Patients living with kidney failure have to schedule their life around dialysis and doctor appointments.

"Challenging its been very challenging, trying to go to school and just live a normal life, its really challenging," said Taquesha Landers a dialysis patient at DaVita Dialysis Center, "it's hard like its really hard I can't even really explain it hard it take a lot of energy."

Taquesha Landers has been on dialysis for 11 years, three days a week for three hours and forty five minutes receiving dialysis.

"Just pushing yourself and praying that's all I can say is just pray."

DaVita Dialysis hopes to make it easier for patients, by pushing the 'Dialysis Patient Demonstration Act' to provide integrated care for patients.

Sheryl Glass facility administrator says, "they're very sick patients when they come to dialysis not only are they needing dialysis they have issues like; diabetes, hypertension, or they may see a cardiologist."

Glass invited U.S Representative Mike Johnson to see first hand what patients go through.

U.S Rep. Mike Johnson said, "important thing for members of congress to be informed about, the inner workings of these facilities, so that we know when legislation is coming across our desk it would improve, provide better access, and better patient care, and coordination that we know, what it is, we are voting on and deciding on."

Glass says the goal is to provide patients with a case manager, someone who can help regulate their life so they wont have to do it alone.

"There's a lot of care that goes into taking care of a patient and we're hoping integrated care would provide a lot of support."

The act will be presented at Septembers legislative session.