Advocacy and policy
Learn about how we work with Congress, the administration, federal agencies and state governments to advance legislation and regulatory policies important to kidney patients and their families.
Get involved and take action
The American Kidney Fund's over 50,000 Ambassadors make up our Advocacy Network, and the team plays an important role in our efforts to raise awareness of kidney disease and ensure that every kidney patient has access to quality health care.
We advocate on behalf of more than 830,000 Americans living with kidney failure, the 1 in 7 Americans with kidney disease, and the millions more who are at risk. Our Ambassadors perform a vital role by influencing legislators and thought leaders so that public policy aims to improve the lives of kidney patients. Our Ambassadors also educate communities about kidney disease, its causes, and how to prevent it. Your voice is powerful!
2026 State Kidney Policy:
Take Action Where You Live
Change happens state by state—and it starts with you. The American Kidney Fund is tracking kidney-related legislation across all 50 states so that AKF Ambassadors and advocates know exactly where to step in.
Make Our Advocacy Unstoppable
In 2025, AKF Ambassadors sent over 49,000 emails to elected officials, held almost 960 meetings with lawmakers and helped pass 9 state bills into law. Make a gift today to keep up the momentum with policy wins that transform lives.
Make Our Advocacy Unstoppable
I witnessed my mom's time on dialysis, and the cost and logistical challenges, paired with the physicals toll on her, inspired me to try to become involved with AKF.
- Jessie Way, AKF Ambassador
AKF Living Donor Protection Report Card
Where Americans live can affect their ability to give the gift of life
The AKF Living Donor Protection Report Card grades states on seven different categories of publicly reported legislation and regulations they have in place to protect living organ donors and encourage living organ donation in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
Learn about our support for CKD screenings
Our support for CKD screening recommendation stems from concerns about the growing number of people who experience kidney failure and need dialysis or transplantation, the health disparities associated with CKD and the need for a clinical assessment tool for physician use by primary care physicians and other providers when screening for CKD.
Explore more topics and resources
We are a strong and independent voice advocating for policies that improve access to health care and that strengthen the quality of care for patients with kidney disease. Learn more about our policy agenda.
Download resources to help you advocate for kidney patients including, comment letters, state factsheets and one pages.
Everyone deserves to be as healthy as they can, no matter where they live, what language they speak or the color of their skin. But in kidney disease, there is a disproportionate burden on communities of color.
Our accomplishments in 2025
Thank you to our AKF Ambassadors who make an important difference on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures and in your own community. Together, we fight for policies that improve the lives of kidney patients.
Nearly 44,000
Emails sent to elected officials
More than 960
Meetings with elected officials
3 living donor bills, 3 Medigap bills, 3 biomarker bills
State bills signed into law
Join our Advocacy Network
There is strength in numbers. More than 49,000 passionate patients, family members, friends and kidney care professionals serve as AKF Ambassadors. Join our Advocacy Network and be a voice for kidney patients on Capitol Hill.
Protect Patient and Donor Rights
Behind every policy victory are kidney patients and families whose voices changed the conversation. In 2024 alone, AKF Ambassadors spurred action by sending tens of thousands of messages to lawmakers, meeting face-to-face with elected officials and helping pass legislation that protects kidney patients nationwide.
Your support powers this work. 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to patients and programs, and your gift fuels the nation's most effective kidney advocacy network. Donate to push for more research funding, stronger protections for living donors and greater health equity for every community affected by kidney disease.