Statement of Fresenius Medical Care North America Regarding U.S. Court Ruling Granting Temporary Restraining Order

WALTHAM, MASS.  – In response to the U.S. District Court’s ruling today granting a temporary restraining order regarding charitable contributions for premium assistance, Fresenius Medical Care North America issued the following statement:

“Following a hearing earlier today, United States District Judge Amos L. Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas has granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) requested by Dialysis Patients Citizens (a patient advocacy organization), Fresenius Medical Care, DaVita, and US Renal, with the support of the American Kidney Fund.  The TRO request, and the underlying complaint, sought relief from the Obama administration’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) that would constrain charitable contributions to the American Kidney Fund and similar charitable organizations benefiting dialysis patients.

The TRO will remain effective until the earlier of January 26, 2017 or the date the court is able to conclude further proceedings and rule on the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction.  Judge Mazzant has scheduled a hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction in Sherman on January 18, 2017.

We are pleased that the court has issued a temporary restraining order preventing this improperly issued regulation from going into effect.  Today’s ruling will help ensure that Americans with kidney failure have the same right as every other American to receive charitable assistance to pay their health insurance premiums. We look forward to working with the new administration on regulations that protect the sustainability of the Medicare program while protecting the ability of Americans to select the health coverage of their choosing, free from discrimination based on their health status or disability.”

About Fresenius Medical Care North America

Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers, Fresenius Medical Care provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world’s largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products, and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website atwww.fmcna.com. For information about patient services, visitwww.freseniuskidneycare.com.

Media Contact:
Jon Stone
Jonathan.d.stone@fmc-na.com
781-392-4680