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Report of National Kidney Foundation Consensus Conference to Decrease Kidney Discards... read more
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Thank you for your help in achieving another great victory this year for kidney patients.
During January, we asked you to write the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a proposed change to Medicare Part D drug benefits that would have made it harder for some transplant recipients to access the immunosuppressive drugs they need to prevent organ rejection. This proposal sought to remove key protections that would have put decisions about immunosuppressive prescribing in the hands of health plans and the government.
On May 16th, CMS released the final rule and reported their decision to not pursue changes to transplant patient access to immunosuppressive drugs under Medicare Part D. In announcing the final rule, CMS acknowledged the importance of hearing from patients like you in making the decision preserve access to these medications. Your voice ensured that transplant patients will still be able to get the best combination of immunosuppressive drugs for them.
On behalf of kidney patients across the country, thank you for helping to make this happen!
Sincerely,
Troy Zimmerman
Vice President, Government Relations |
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On September 21, 2016, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 5659, the Expanding Seniors Receiving Dialysis Choice Act or ESRD Choice Act. The 423-0 vote included 242 Republicans and 181 Democrats.
Starting in 2020, this bill will give individuals with kidney failure access to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. It will also require education for individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD) to aid them in making informed decisions about MA coverage. Since the MA program was created in 2003, ESRD patients are the only group specifically denied the option to enroll in these plans (currently Medicare beneficiaries who have Chronic Kidney Disease can enroll in MA and can remain in their MA plan after they progress to ESRD). Removing government restrictions that prevent ESRD patients from enrolling in MA plans will allow ESRD beneficiaries the same freedom of choice in coverage as other Medicare enrollees. Allowing ESRD patients to select these plans may help some patients minimize their out-of-pocket expenses and access additional benefits that some MA plans provide like transportation and dental.
Thank you to the nearly 700 people who supported kidney patients and NKF by reaching out to their Representatives.
Next steps: While the House has passed this bill, it still needs to be considered in the Senate. At this time, there is no Senate companion bill to H.R. 5659 but given the overwhelming support in the House, it is likely that there will be movement on this issue later this Congress. |
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The National Kidney Foundation is joining other members of the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance to urge Congress to hold a hearing on the impact of diabetes. As you know, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S.
We need you to contact your Representative who serves on the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee (whose jurisdiction includes health issues) to indicate your support for this hearing. Click here to read more about NKF Advocacy Alerts. |
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The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) needs your help to improve the health of kidney patients around the country! The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (S. 538/HR 1130), introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (ID) and Ben Cardin (MD) and Representatives Tom Marino (R-PA) and John Lewis (D-GA), promotes kidney disease research and education and protects access to care for dialysis patients.
Email your Members of Congress now and ask them to cosponsor this important legislation!
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Email your Members of Congress now and tell them you support increased funding for kidney disease research and programs. Each year, federal funding for kidney disease must be appropriated by Congress. Important work is being done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Health Services and Resource Administration (HRSA) to advance kidney disease research and improve access to kidney transplantation. However, this work can’t continue or grow without funding.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Chronic Kidney Disease Program
To address the social and economic impact of kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation worked with Congress to launch the Chronic Kidney Disease Program at CDC. Since then, Congress has provided annual funding to sustain this critical program. Cost-effective early testing and treatment can slow the progression of kidney disease, delay complications, and prevent or postpone kidney failure. Urge Congress to provide $2.2 million for the CKD program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, an increase of $100,000.
National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Medicare spends $87 billion annually to care for patients with kidney disease, including nearly $29 billion for individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD), yet NIH funding for kidney disease research is only about $600 million annually. Additional funding is needed so that more researchers can investigate ways to stop kidney disease and improve treatments for those who have it. Urge Congress to support increased funding for kidney disease by providing $2.066 billion for NIDDK in FY 2016.
HRSA Division of Organ Transplantation
The HRSA Division of Transplantation (DoT) is responsible for national implementation of policies and oversight governing the distribution of organs to those awaiting an organ transplant. In addition, DoT also helps support programs aimed at increasing the number of donor organs. For example, the National Donor Assistance Program has helped more than 4,800 individuals obtain a transplant by assisting living donors with out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and subsistence that are not reimbursed by insurance, a health benefit program, or any other state or federal program. The National Donor Assistance Program enables more individuals to consider being a living donor without having to worry about unreimbursed expenses related to donation. Urge Congress to provide $26.55 million for organ donation and transplantation programs for the HRSA DoT,$3,000,000 above the President’s request.
Thank you,
Kevin Longino
Interim Chief Executive Officer
National Kidney Foundation |
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The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research
and Treatment Act |
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) needs your help to improve the health of kidney patients around the country! The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act (S. 538/HR 1130), introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (ID) and Ben Cardin (MD) and Representatives Tom Marino (R-PA) and John Lewis (D-GA), promotes kidney disease research and education and protects access to care for dialysis patients. Email your Members of Congressnow and ask them to cosponsor this important legislation!
This Act will:
Give Kidney Failure Patients Access to Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have greater ability to coordinate care for patients across their different health care providers. Currently, individuals with kidney failure cannot enroll in MA plans, but eliminating this restriction would allow ESRD beneficiaries the same freedom of choice and access to care coordination services as other Medicare enrollees.
Expand Research
This legislation would enhance current research efforts by assessing the adequacy of federal funding, identifying gaps in research and studying the progression of kidney disease and treatment of kidney failure in minorities.
Expand Opportunities for Kidney Disease Education
The legislation would permit more health care professionals including dialysis facility staff to deliver education to patients with CKD stages 4 and 5.
If passed, this bill will provide more options and improve the lives of kidney patients, but it can't pass without your support! Email Congress now.
Thank you,
Troy Zimmerman
Vice President Government Relations
National Kidney Foundation |
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