ESRD care within the US department of veterans affairs: A forward-looking program with an illuminating past

Suzanne Watnick, Susan T. Crowley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first governmental agency to provide maintenance hemodialysis to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was the Veterans Administration (VA; now the US Department of Veterans Affairs). Many historical VA policies and programs set the stage for the later care of both veteran and civilian patients with ESRD. More recent VA initiatives that target restructuring of care models based on quality management, system-wide payment policies to promote cost-effective dialysis, and innovation grants aim to improve contemporary care. The VA currently supports an expanded and diversified nationwide treatment program for patients with ESRD using an integrated patient-centered care paradigm. This narrative review of ESRD care by the VA explores not only the medical advances, but also the historical, socioeconomic, ethical, and political forces related to the care of veterans with ESRD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)521-529
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume63
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014

Keywords

  • End-stage renal disease
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs
  • public policy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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