| [ Summary ] |
One characteristic of RRT (renal replacement therapy) in Japan is that the number of hemodialysis patients is much larger than the number of CAPD or transplant patients. Because total RRT medical expenses are huge, due to the number of patients, the Japanese government has reduced the reimbursed cost of HD therapy over the year. If this cost-cutting policy is continued, the quality of HD will be reduced dramatically. In the current severe economic situation, we must develop and analyze cost-effective plans for RRT therapy to present to the government. Every effort must be made to persuade policy makers to maintain reimbursements for RRP therapy, in order to maintain the quality of RRT therapy. |