American Kidney Fund Applauds Introduction of Kidney Care Access Protection Act

ROCKVILLE, MD (Sept. 17, 2025) — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) applauds the introduction of the Kidney Care Access Protection Act (S. 2730), which takes steps to improve and protect kidney dialysis patients' access to innovative therapies and high-quality kidney health care.   

Introduced by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) earlier this month, this bipartisan legislation would establish a long-term, sustainable Medicare payment pathway for innovative drugs, devices and technologies and implement a process that would accurately account for increased labor costs, helping to ensure the consistent availability of essential services to dialysis patients.   

"We have been encouraged by innovations in the treatment of early-stage kidney disease, but not nearly enough is being done. It's crucial that new therapies are developed for all stages of the disease and that payment policies are in place to ensure people living with kidney failure can access these therapies and innovations," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "The Kidney Care Access Protection Act addresses a significant problem by modernizing and updating Medicare end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) payment rate calculations and will improve patients' ability to utilize new therapies as well as help ensure facilities can be fully staffed so that patients are provided the care that they need. 

"We thank Sen. Blackburn and Sen. Booker for their commitment to the kidney community and look forward to working with lawmakers to help ensure passage of this critically important bill in Congress."