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Advocate for Kidney Patients
The American Kidney Fund advocates for policies to improve the health of millions of Americans and their families who are living with, or are at risk of developing, kidney disease.
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Send a personalized letter to your Member of Congress today and ask that they join the Congressional Kidney Caucus to show their support for the millions of Americans living with, or at risk of developing, kidney disease!
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HHS Releases Final Health Exchange Regulations
On March 12, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final rule on the establishment of Health Insurance Exchanges, created as part of the Affordable Care Act. In its final rule, HHS laid out specific requirements for the establishment of health Exchanges. The rule also clarified that current Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) policy will apply to health plans offered in the new Exchanges, set to become operational on January 1, 2014. The American Kidney Fund strongly advocated for HHS to clarify this provision, ensuring that kidney patients have the same choice to maintain private coverage after being diagnosed with kidney failure both inside and outside an Exchange.
Senator Conrad Introduces Kidney Care Legislation
On March 6 Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) introduced S. 2163, the Kidney Disease Equitable Access, Prevention, and Research Act of 2012. The American Kidney Fund supports this important legislation which, among other provisions, would prevent private insurers from denying or limiting coverage if premiums or other payments are made by third parties, such as AKF, on a patient’s behalf. This legislation would also extend Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) policy for kidney patients by 12 months (totaling 42 months), and improve access to kidney disease education services under Medicare. Click here to read the text of this legislation.
AKF Advocates Kick Off National Kidney Month on Capitol Hill
On March 1, AKF Advocates visited Capitol Hill to raise awareness of kidney disease as part of the American Kidney Fund’s 3rd Annual Advocate Fly-In. Advocates shared their stories with their Congressional representatives and urged support for federal policies and legislation that can benefit kidney patients and their families. Advocates also took part in two events hosted by AKF on Capitol Hill to highlight Pair Up – AKF’s new campaign to prevent kidney disease.
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