Press release
American Kidney Fund Commends Introduction of Kidney Care Access Protection Act in U.S. House
The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate in September and aims to improve access to innovative treatments for end-stage renal disease patients under the Medicare program.
ROCKVILLE, MD (Nov. 21, 2025) — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) commends the introduction of the Kidney Care Access Protection Act (H.R. 6214) in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate in September and aims to improve access to innovative treatments for end-stage renal disease patients under the Medicare program.
The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), would help ensure that people on dialysis consistently have access to the services they need. The bill provides for proper reimbursement for quality dialysis care and sets up a long-term, sustainable Medicare payment system for new and innovative drugs, devices and technologies in dialysis treatment, and would set up a process to accurately account for rising labor costs.
The House version of the legislation would also help to prevent or delay future cases of kidney failure by requiring kidney screenings in annual Medicare wellness appointments. In addition, it would give people in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) access to a Kidney Disease Education benefit, which allows these individuals to meet with a doctor to learn about CKD and how to improve their health.
"With 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, it is imperative that we continue to invest in innovations to kidney care and treatment and work to guarantee that everyone living with kidney disease can access these innovative services," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "The Kidney Care Access Protection Act will help ensure that game-changing kidney treatments and therapies can be utilized by the people who need them, improving their quality of life and potentially saving lives. We are grateful to Reps. Miller and Sewell for introducing this critical legislation and look forward to working with members of Congress to enact this bill and make it the law of the land."
About the American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of the 1 in 7 American adults living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through post-transplant living. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 96 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar.
For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with AKF on Facebook, Bluesky, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Related articles
Blog post
Before we break out the new calendar and say goodbye to 2025, AKF is reflecting on another big year for our work fighting kidney disease on all fronts
Press release
Today, members of the kidney community will come together for the American Kidney Fund (AKF)'s fourth annual Dialysis at Home event, a free, one-day virtual gathering.
Blog post
AKF Ambassador Ellie Kugler reflects on how Alport Syndrome and bodybuilding have changed her life.
Press release
The legislation takes steps to improve and protect kidney dialysis patients' access to innovative therapies and high-quality kidney health care.