Latest news with #KidneyCarePartners
Associated Press
28-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Kidney Care Partners Commends Senate Reintroduction of the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act
Washington, DC March 27, 2025 --( Kidney Care Partners (KCP) – the nation's largest non-profit, non-partisan kidney care coalition dedicated to protecting access and representing patients, dialysis professionals, physicians, nurses, researchers, therapeutic innovators, transplant coordinators, and manufacturers – today commended Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) for introducing the bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act (S.1173). 'ESRD patients need dialysis treatments to survive,' said Dr. Cassidy. 'We must ensure their access to treatment is continued, and their choice of care is protected.' 'Three years ago, the Supreme Court made the decision to allow private health care companies to kick patients suffering from kidney failure off their plan, forcing many people into financial hardship,' said Senator Booker. 'No one should lose their insurance, especially when they need it most. The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act is critical legislation that will ensure ESRD patients' right to choose their care is protected.' If enacted, this bill would reaffirm Congress's original intent behind the Medicare Secondary Payer Act (MSPA) and safeguard individuals with kidney failure, known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), from discriminatory practices by insurers. A Supreme Court decision from 2022, Marietta v. DaVita, undermined the statute and essentially permits health plans to push patients with kidney failure off their private insurance and onto Medicare prematurely. The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act seeks to close this gap by ensuring that individuals living with kidney disease receive the same protections as those with other chronic conditions under MSPA. The bill ensures dialysis patients can continue receiving the life-sustaining care they need without disruption by maintaining access to private insurance coverage for the full 30-month coordination period before transitioning to Medicare as the primary payer. 'Maintaining patient access to care choices is a priority for Kidney Care Partners and the broader kidney care community. We are grateful to Congressional leaders working to ensure those living with ESRD have access to the safe, effective care they need with the coverage of their choice through the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act,' said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. 'Kidney failure is the only health condition where insurers are allowed to shift the cost of care onto the government. In exchange, Congress mandated that patients could keep their private coverage for 30 months to help protect patient access to transplant and to provide financial stability as individuals begin dialysis,' said Hrant Jamgochian, CEO of Dialysis Patient Citizens. 'The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act was introduced in response to a recent Supreme Court decision, where both the majority and minority opinions said that the original law was poorly drafted and that Congress needed to clarify its intent. We urge prompt passage of this critical legislation to ensure that ESRD patient access to care and financial stability are not put at risk.' 'We are grateful to Senators Booker, Cassidy, Cramer and Heinrich for introducing this critical legislation, which will protect patient choice and encourage health plans to prioritize early detection and treatment for chronic kidney disease and ESRD,' said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. 'It's important to pass the Restore Act so people with kidney disease can maintain their insurance,' said Lori Hartwell, Founder and President of Renal Support Network. Sarah Feagan 616-560-2059
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nation's Kidney Community Calls for Urgent Policy Action During National Kidney Month to Improve Kidney Care
Kidney Care Partners (KCP) – the nation's largest non-profit, non-partisan kidney care coalition dedicated to protecting access to care and comprised of more than 30 organizations, including patients, dialysis professionals, physicians, nurses, researchers, therapeutic innovators, transplant coordinators, and manufacturers – in recognition of National Kidney Month is highlighting its 2025 policy priorities to address longstanding systemic challenges to ensure access to high-quality kidney care for the nearly 40 million Americans living with kidney disease. 'Given the new Congress, new administration and urgent kidney care needs, we recognize this is a unique moment to tackle some of the challenges our broader community continues to face,' said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. 'We are calling on policymakers to join us and implement meaningful and measurable solutions to improve care innovation, expand access to care and protect patient choice.' Key areas where KCP is calling for solutions include: 1. Restoring Patient Coverage Choice: Congress should introduce and pass legislation to restore the public-private partnership intended to support our nation's dialysis infrastructure by helping to maintain patient choice and protect access to essential care. 2. Incentivize ESRD Care Innovations: The current limited 'transitional period' for new technologies is stifling innovation in kidney care. By addressing gaps with the current adjustments and improving collaboration between policymakers and innovators in both the traditional Medicare and Medicaid Advantage programs, we can help ensure that life-saving advancements reach patients and that continued investment is incentivized in this space. 3. Fixing Medicare's ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS): Dialysis providers are being hit especially hard by ongoing workforce challenges. This issue is only exacerbated by outdated payment forecasting errors. Correcting these errors and ensuring adequate reimbursement will allow dialysis providers to help stabilize their workforce while also improving patient access to life-sustaining dialysis treatment. 'National Kidney Month is rightfully a time to raise awareness of kidney disease and encourage disease screening for at-risk populations, but it is also time for policymakers to take meaningful action to support our broader kidney community,' concluded Krishnan. 'We look forward to partnering with those willing to address and improve care for the long term.' Sarah Feagan 616-560-2059
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Kidney Care Partners Congratulates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Kidney Care Partners (KCP) – The nation's largest kidney coalition, comprised of physician groups, providers, patient advocacy groups, manufacturers and researchers congratulates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his approval by the U.S. Senate to serve as the next Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The kidney care community shares Secretary Kennedy's concern about the chronic disease epidemic in this country that costs both lives and resources, especially for those suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). KCP looks forward to working collaboratively with Secretary Kennedy and his staff to address this crisis to improve access to quality care and save lives. KCP is confident that Secretary Kennedy will be a strong advocate for advancing preventative care and effective disease management in a way that incentivizes innovation and ensures efficient and effective use of government resources focused on patient well-being. 'Efforts to 'Make America Healthy Again' should include the nearly 40 million Americans living with kidney disease. It is our hope that Secretary Kennedy will work to equip providers with the resources to identify kidney disease at early stages, support innovations in care and treatment, and slow disease progression,' said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. 'The broader kidney community stands eager and ready to work with Secretary Kennedy and the Administration. Together, we can drive preventative and disease management efforts while ensuring access to high-quality, cost-effective care for Americans living with kidney disease, while ensuring those living with kidney failure have access to innovations and modalities in dialysis care, including access to transplants.' Sarah Feagan 616-560-2059
