Proposition 23, if approved by voters, would establish dialysis clinic requirements. These clinics would have at least one physician present while patients are being treated (except where there is an established shortage of physicians), to report patient infection data to the state and to get consent from the state prior to closing.
Approximately 80,000 Californians with failed kidneys receive dialysis treatments.
The measure would also ban clinics from discriminating on the basis of who is paying for a patient’s care.
Those in favor of Proposition 23 argue that the increased regulations will make clinics safer for patients and make sure that patients with any insurance will be treated equally. Supporters include the SEIU healthcare workers union.
Those opposed to the proposition argue that increased regulations would make care more costly for and less available to low-income patients. The California Medical Association states that if Prop 23 passes, many dialysis patients would go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment, as their clinic could shut down.
Opponents include some for-profit dialysis clinics like DaVita and Fresenius, as well as the American Nurses Association-California.
