Life story of a woman on dialysis, now boasts a new kidney, stating, "God guided me to the perfect donor."
In a heartwarming story of resilience and hope, LaQuayia "LQ" Goldring, a 35-year-old woman from the United States, recently received a new lease on life after undergoing a kidney transplant. Goldring, who has been battling kidney disease since the age of three when her kidneys failed due to cancer, has become an outspoken advocate for those suffering from advanced kidney disease.
The transplant, performed by Dr. Malay Shah of the University of Kentucky's Transplant Center, came at a crucial time for Goldring. Before the operation, she spent up to four and a half hours a day on a home dialysis machine. The new kidney, from an unidentified man from Georgia who chose to become a living donor, offers Goldring a chance to move beyond the confines of dialysis and embrace a healthier, more active life.
However, Goldring's journey is not unique. Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. who are on dialysis at any given time have qualified for a spot on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Tragically, 11 people die every day waiting for a kidney in the U.S., according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
The dialysis industry, dominated by two for-profit companies, DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, has come under scrutiny for its practices. These companies control over 70% of the clinics and 90% of industry revenue, establishing a clear duopoly in this sector. This concentration has raised concerns about the quality and autonomy of treatment for hundreds of thousands of Americans dependent on dialysis.
A seven-month investigation by "our News" found that this duopoly has been entrenched over decades through a series of acquisitions, often small enough not to trigger antitrust scrutiny, a phenomenon called “stealth consolidation” that has helped them evade regulatory oversight. The impact on patient care is concerning. Patients dependent on dialysis must visit clinics multiple times a week, often limiting meaningful choice due to geographic constraints and logistical difficulties in switching providers.
Investigations and patient testimonies report that for-profit dialysis companies prioritize profitability, sometimes at the expense of patient autonomy and quality of care. Critics argue that the duopoly incentivizes cost-cutting and reduces competition that might otherwise improve service and innovation.
Efforts to empower patients through transparent reporting and facility ratings have had limited effect because the lack of competitive alternatives makes choice largely illusory. Additionally, allegations exist that some companies have maintained their market dominance by unethical practices such as bribing kidney doctors to refer patients to their clinics, although these claims require further investigation.
Despite these criticisms, both Fresenius and DaVita assert their commitment to quality care and improving patient outcomes. Nevertheless, regulatory responses have been limited, as traditional antitrust tools struggle to address incremental acquisitions and the complex structure of dialysis care financing, which is heavily publicly funded, particularly by Medicare.
Goldring herself has criticized for-profit dialysis clinics for treating patients like a "check." She hopes more people will hear about her story and more donors will come forth, emphasizing the importance of living donations. Living-donor kidney transplants have the best outcomes and don't require as long of a wait time for the patient. About one-third of all kidney transplants performed each year in the U.S. are living-donor kidney transplants.
As Goldring continues to share her story, she reminds us of the human side of a complex issue. Her journey serves as a call to action for regulators and patient advocates to address the challenges faced by those dependent on dialysis and work towards a system that prioritizes patient needs over corporate profits.
- Goldring's kidney transplant provides a beacon of hope and resilience for those battling advanced kidney disease.
- Despite the new kidney, Goldring's story mirrors the plight of nearly 90,000 Americans on dialysis waiting for a transplant.
- Every day, 11 people die waiting for a kidney transplant in the U.S., according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
- The dialysis industry, dominated by DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, faces scrutiny for its practices and impact on patient care.
- The duopoly in the dialysis sector, formed through stealth consolidation over decades, raises concerns about treatment quality and autonomy.
- Geographic constraints and logistical difficulties limit the meaningful choice for patients dependent on dialysis.
- For-profit dialysis companies prioritize profitability, sometimes at the expense of patient autonomy and quality of care, according to critics.
- The duopoly incentivizes cost-cutting and reduces competition that could lead to service and innovation improvements.
- Transparent reporting and facility ratings have had minimal impact due to the lack of competitive alternatives.
- Allegations of unethical practices, such as bribing kidney doctors to refer patients to clinics, require further investigation.
- Both Fresenius and DaVita stress their commitment to quality care and patient outcomes.
- Regulatory responses have been limited due to the complex financing structure of dialysis care, which is heavily publicly funded by Medicare.
- Goldring criticizes for-profit dialysis clinics for treating patients like a "check."
- Living-donor kidney transplants have the best outcomes and don't require as long a wait time for the patient.
- Efforts to raise awareness of living donations are necessary to address the challenges faced by those dependent on dialysis.
- The story serves as a call to action for regulators and patient advocates to create a system prioritizing patient needs over corporate profits.
- Goldring's journey highlights the need for therapies and treatments focused on workplace wellness, chronic diseases, and mental health.
- As Goldring continues to share her story, she encourages everyone to prioritize health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of skin care, eye health, hearing, and weight management, particularly in the context of aging for both men's health and women's health.
