Dialysis: Child Mortality+Petitions
This spring of 2026 should have been a time of shared purpose—a season for my fellow activists and me to return to the Colorado State Capitol to renew the legacy of our 2007 bill with this year’s sunset review bill HB26-1280.
That original legislation was a watershed moment for patient safety. It mandated that dialysis technicians pass a national certification exam within 18 months of hire. Crucially, we fought to tie that certification directly to a clinic’s license. In short: if a clinic doesn't prioritize qualified staff, they don't get to stay in business.
But this year felt different. I made the journey to the Capitol alone, carrying the memories of the giants who stood beside me nineteen years ago.
The Wise Counsel of George Bravdica
I think first of George Bravdica, who passed away shortly after our first hearings in 2007. George was a dialysis patient who turned a support group at Porter Hospital into a lifeline for the Denver community. He was the one who ensured younger patients didn't miss out on life’s milestones, like the "Renal Prom Party" hosted by the Renal Support Network.
It was George’s strategic mind that saved us. He advised us not to overreach for full technician licensing, but to stick to the achievable, ironclad goal of certification. That wisdom carried us through a "nail-biter" of a battle in the Senate Health & Human Services committee.
While the opposition—led by DaVita—tried to paint a "fairytale" picture of clinic life, we threw the kitchen sink at them. We managed to escape that committee by a single vote. One can’t help but wonder if DaVita’s performance would have been more "dazzling" if their then-CEO (and self-styled "Musketeer") Kent Thiry had shown up. I suspect his act would have been a better fit for a child's birthday party in need of a creepy clown than a legislative hearing.
(It should be noted since 2007, we have seen so much more evidence supporting our position, including the 2012 5280 article, “The Strangest Show on Earth,” along with a growing list of scandals and fact sheets. And a haymaker punch was thrown at the large for-profits with the 2023 book by NYT’s best-selling author Tom Mueller “How to Make a Killing”)
Bridging the Gap: Archie Jones
Archie Jones was another cornerstone of our 2007 and 2012 efforts. He not only helped George Bravdica with the support group, but was the head of the "Black Transplants Action Committee" (BTAC), Archie tackled the heavy lifting of medical distrust head-on.
He understood that the shadow of scandals like the “Tuskegee Syphilis Study” still lingers, contributing to the lower rates of kidney transplants in the Black community despite higher rates of kidney failure. Archie fought to break that stigma, encouraging others to seek transplants even though he was ineligible for one himself. He was the "cool head" in the room, keeping the rest of us from going off the rails when tensions ran high. He is dearly missed.
The Fierce Advocacy of Deborah Hayes
Then there was Deborah Hayes, who was like a sister to me. She testified in 2007, 2012, and 2019. We used to joke that she was the "Great Satan" of the Fort Collins clinic and I was her counterpart in Loveland. We had the bad habit of believing our "lying" eyes.
Deborah had seen the industry shift from the patient-centered care of the early years to the deteriorated, profit-driven models of today. She spoke about nurses being the main givers of care early on, compared to techs now.
She wasn't afraid of the risks of speaking up. I can still hear her asking the committee: “Would you trust your car to a mechanic who only picked up a wrench two weeks ago?” This after meeting a tech who was allowed to work on patients after being hired only two weeks prior. Her fierce passion was always tempered by a kind heart, advocating for herself and others until the very end.
The Professional Courage of a Nurse who testified for us
Finally, I must honor a retired dialysis nurse who stood with us when few other professionals would. She provided the "receipts" we needed. She testified that technicians are a nurse's "eyes and ears"—the first line of defense in identifying a heart attack or a treatment emergency.
She paid a heavy price for her integrity, facing shunning from former colleagues and doctors. Because of her, we weren't just a group of "disgruntled patients"; we were a movement backed by clinical expertise. (She requested her name not be used)
Looking Forward
Sharing these stories is about more than nostalgia; it’s about building a better environment for the patients of tomorrow. The good news is that this year’s bill is sailing through the legislature. The even better news? Sponsors of this year’s bill are already discussing new legislation for next year!
Much more remains to be done, but we move forward on the shoulders of those who refused to stay silent.
Dialysis: Child Mortality+Petitions
(Reference: Colorado State Capitol Hearings: 2007, 2012, 2019, 2026)
