There are many reasons for poor communication in health care, but you can learn techniques to help you become a better advocate for yourself and improve communication with your health care team. READ MORE >>

UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing), which manages the nation’s organ transplant system, said 2017 was the first year that more than 10,000 people became deceased donors, and nearly 34,800 organ transplants were performed. READ MORE >>

Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a regulation that would have given insurers the right to deny coverage to dialysis patients who receive charitable help to pay their insurance premiums. READ MORE >>

We have been writing about the vital role of charitable third-party payments of insurance premiums for low-income kidney patients through the American Kidney Fund’s (AKF) Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP) because insurers are lobbying for public policies that would deny this kind of assistance. READ MORE >>

Recently the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will investigate possible inappropriate efforts by providers of dialysis services to steer patients eligible for Medicare and Medicaid into insurance plans paid for by third parties. We think this is an important issue and we fully support the effort to make sure that there is no room for undue influence over patients in choosing their insurance. READ MORE >>

People who have chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, HIV or kidney disease have always been challenged when it comes to insurance coverage. There was a time when insurance companies could deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, so when people needed insurance the most —when they got really ill and needed care—they didn’t have it. READ MORE >>

Last week, to kick off National Kidney Month, American Kidney Fund (AKF) patient-advocates from around the country came to Washington to educate their elected officials about the financial challenges kidney patients experience, and to urge lawmakers to put an end to discriminatory practices among some health insurers. READ MORE >>

Kidney disease causes expensive, painful and debilitating complications that prevent many patients from working and earning an income. To support people in this difficult situation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits as a financial resource. READ MORE >>

AKF Advocate Ron Krokey is passionate about spreading the word about kidney disease. He joined 11 other Advocates in Washington, D.C., in March for a series of meetings with legislators. Here’s what he had to say about his experience. READ MORE >>

UNOS is adjusting its kidney allocation policy to better account for the biologic needs of people with immune system sensitivity and maximize the use of kidneys. In his Kidney Today blog post, Richard Formica, M.D., chair of the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Transplantation Committee, explains the new criteria. READ MORE >>

Meet Audrey Adamson, a patient-advocate with the American Kidney Fund, who in March joined us for our annual Kidney Action Day on Capitol Hill. Audrey is one of many inspirational advocates in the American Kidney Fund's Advocacy Network who is raising awareness for kidney disease research and prevention. READ MORE >>

Among minorities, the need for kidney transplants is disproportionately high, so donations are essential. Anthony Brown, a patient-advocate with American Kidney Fund, shared his story about donating one of his kidneys to his mother last year on World Kidney Day. Anthony is one of many inspirational advocates in the American Kidney Fund network who has donated a kidney to a friend or family member. READ MORE >>