American Kidney Fund Statement on Passage of H.R. 1

ROCKVILLE, Md. (July 3, 2025) — LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund (AKF), issued the following statement about Congress's passage of H.R. 1, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act":

"Since the introduction of H.R. 1, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," the American Kidney Fund has expressed its profound concerns with this legislation, the implementation of which will be devastating for millions of Americans, especially those living with chronic diseases such as kidney disease.

"We along with many other organizations representing patients and health care professionals urged Congress to reject the significant cuts and changes in the bill to Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans and SNAP that reduce access to affordable health insurance coverage and vital nutrition benefits. 

"The passage of this bill by Congress may have enduring consequences:  an estimated 17 million uninsured in the next 10 years, higher health care costs, the closure of rural and inner city hospitals, and more Americans experiencing food insecurity — just to name a few.

"In the United States, 1 in 7 people have kidney disease and millions more are at risk of developing this silent disease, known as such because symptoms are typically not detected until someone's disease has advanced or even failed. 

"Medicaid is a crucial lifeline, essential at all stages of chronic kidney disease, including managing underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, supporting dialysis patients and covering kidney transplants for eligible patients. Kidney disease also exacts a tremendous financial toll on families and as well as the national budget. Much of this cost could be avoided if people were treated in the early stages of kidney disease. HR 1 will exacerbate this problem. 

"We are deeply alarmed by the prospect of what's to follow once the provisions of H.R. 1 are implemented and we will continue to work on behalf of the kidney community and stand up for patients' access to affordable and comprehensive health care."