American Kidney Fund Applauds Introduction of the CARE for All Kidneys Act of 2021

ROCKVILLE, Md. (June 17, 2021) – The American Kidney Fund (AKF) applauds Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) for introducing the Coordination, Accountability, Research and Equity for All Kidneys Act of 2021, also known as the CARE for All Kidneys Act of 2021 (H.R. 3893). The bill would create a national action plan to address kidney disease in historically underserved populations, including minority and rural communities. LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, today issued this statement:

"Kidney disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by kidney failure, and underserved and rural communities face issues accessing health care. This important bill will pinpoint the issues that have created such a burden of kidney disease in these communities and will develop steps needed to prevent kidney disease, delay progression to kidney failure and increase the number of kidney transplants.

"People living in underserved and rural communities have long faced challenges accessing health insurance, primary care, preventive care and pre-dialysis nephrology care. AKF is proud to have worked closely with Reps. Blunt Rochester and Wenstrup to develop a bill that aims to improve the health care delivery system, making it more equitable, accessible and inclusive, and to ensure high quality care for all kidney disease patients.

"The CARE for All Kidneys Act of 2021 would create a national action plan that brings together key stakeholders, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address health disparities in kidney disease. The bill would support initiatives like expanding ongoing kidney disease research and addressing lower kidney transplantation rates in underserved communities.

"This legislation is vital in addressing health disparities, improving the social determinants of health in the U.S. and ensuring that all kidney patients have access to the care they need. The introduction of this bill is just the first step. AKF is urging other members of Congress to cosponsor this important legislation to help it advance."