Patients from Outlying Counties Particularly Worried about Dialysis Closure

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – As some uninsured patients of Grady's dialysis clinic wonder where they'll get their vital treatments after Sunday, one group is especially fearful. The hospital says it will find alternatives for patients, but those who live outside of Fulton and DeKalb counties wonder if they're included.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

On Monday, Senior Vice President of Operations Denise Williams said there's an agreement with the private provider Fresenius.

WILLIAMS: This will be the safety net for some of our hardest-placed indigent Fulton and DeKalb patients.

But, says one patient advocate

LEONE-GLASSER: that company has no intention of covering patients who are not from DeKalb and Fulton.

Dorothy Leone-Glasser says several of the 17 out-of-county patients that use the outpatient dialysis center have no prospect of insurance. Grady was their only option.

The hospital's charter obligates it to care only for the indigent of Fulton and DeKalb Counties, but CEO Michael Young said it will work with all patients to find alternatives.

The center is closing because it loses 2 to 4 million dollars a year, and its equipment is badly outdated.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.