Critics: Grady Dialysis Center Closure too Hasty

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Grady Hospital has paid for plane tickets to move some of its outpatient dialysis patients to other states or countries. It's only if the patients choose to leave, and it's part of the hospital's transitional plan as it readies to close its own clinic in 9 days. But as WABE's Odette Yousef reports, some health advocates say that transition is happening too quickly, leaving some people behind.

About 90 people use the dialysis center, and the concern now is for those who are not insured. They're mostly undocumented residents or naturalized citizens who haven't lived in the US long enough to qualify for Medicaid.

Cristina Drenkard, with a group called Grady Advocates for Responsible Care, said many didn't learn that the center would close until early August:

DRENKARD: One month and a half is not enough time (for) anybody to make such a hard decision of relocating to other states, or moving back to their home countries.

Drenkard wants Grady to delay the closing until alternative care is found for each of these patients, several of whom called her for help. Matt Gove, Grady spokesperson, says the hospital is working on it:

GOVE: We're still in discussions with Fresenius, which is one of the major outpatient dialysis providers, on discounted rates and other arrangements that we can make for those patients.

Gove declined to answer whether Grady might postpone the closing of the center.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.