Advocacy

Advocates for Kidney Patients The American Kidney Fund advocates for the policies to improve the health of millions of Americans and their families who are suffering from, or are at risk of developing kidney disease.

Health Reform Principles

The American Kidney Fund believes that the goal of health care reform should be to assure that all Americans, including those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, have access to optimal care that meets their needs and improves their quality of life.

The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts.  We envision a world without kidney disease so as Congress seeks to addresses health reform, it is important that these principles be incorporated to ensure that kidney patients have access to the health care they need.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO BENEFITS AND COVERAGE

Encourage access to health care for all
Ensure continuation of employer group health plans and other commercial insurance to supplement Medicare and other public program coverage
Promote affordable care and fair payments for government health care programs.
Expand patient choices in health care insurance coverage.
Address healthcare workforce shortage issues that  limit patient access to care
Assure access to drug regimen that are clinically most appropriate to patient needs

AFFORDABLE PATIENT COST SHARING

Eliminate patient cost sharing for preventive health services
Provide access to prescription medications with minimum cost sharing
Reduce patient-incurred expenses for necessary ESRD treatments and service

AWARENESS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION

Reduce incidence of kidney disease through public awareness and information, early detection, and screenings
Expand existing prevention and public education programs
Increase awareness of the interrelation of co-morbidities
Eliminate health disparities through strategic approaches to identify and serve at-risk communities.
Increase awareness of the interrelatedness of co-morbidities

COORDINATED MANAGEMENT OF CARE

Support coordination of care in order to improve quality and outcomes.
Strengthen partnerships between patients and caregivers.
Encourage proper communication and sharing of information to promote optimal care.
Improve efficiencies in the health care system for providers and patients.
Slow progressions of CKD, reduce hospitalizations, and better manage co-morbidities for those suffering from multiple diseases.

FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN ACCESS TO CARE

Ensure ESRD patients have access to programs that assist in paying the full cost of care.
Ensure ESRD patients have the option to extend commercial insurance coverage as primary beyond 30 months.
Allow all dialysis patients access to all commercial, public health plans, and Medigap plans.
Ensure continuity of health coverage and ban limitations on coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Eliminate lifetime limits on health insurance coverage and annual limits on all benefits.
Encourage timely inspection of dialysis facilities.
Encourage transportation support for dialysis patients.
Improve access to nutritional supplements for dialysis patients as appropriate
Ensure continued coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplant patients

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Other Legislation of Interest:

On July 15, 2008 the U.S. House and Senate voted to enact H.R. 6331, The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. Learn more about the legislation