Patients need cohesive health care coverage to cope with kidney disease
From the perspective of policy makers, patient advocates and health care providers, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure present the following series of important questions: How do we, as a nation, tackle the economic and physical implications of a health care epidemic that when undiagnosed or left untreated, results in loss of vital organ function…
Awareness and prevention needed to slow progression of CKD
It is a sad fact that – even as prevalent as kidney disease has become in the United States – many Americans have no idea that, albeit silently, their kidney function is deteriorating. As we know, there are often few obvious, outward signs. Genetics and race play a role; but whereas people might be aware…
A Kidney Care FIRST series
As one of the costliest and physically devastating health epidemics facing our nation today, chronic kidney disease affects more than 30 million Americans, largely due to skyrocketing comorbidities like diabetes, obesity and hypertension. In addition, more than 726,000 Americans live with ESRD — a diagnosis that increases by more than 124,000 individuals every year. Caring…
Congress introduces legislation on improving access to kidney care
The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation that would improve education options and promote access to treatment for kidney disease. The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act of 2019 (H.R. 3912) was introduced by Representatives John Lewis, D-Georgia, and Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, and is similar to legislation introduced in the Senate…
CMS Proposes Upping Pay For Dialysis Facilities That Use New Equipment
CMS proposed a payment rule Monday (July 29) meant to encourage dialysis facilities to adopt new equipment and supplies while also increasing pay for those facilities and updating the pricing system for medical devices. “The changes we are proposing in this rule will also modernize outdated government policies to facilitate greater competition in the DME…
Congress, the administration, and the kidney community could dramatically transform kidney care
Americans with kidney disease are living longer, healthier lives thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the entire kidney community. Over the last decade, we have been proud to work together to improve quality, access, and choice for individuals suffering from kidney disease and kidney failure. From increasing the patient survival rate in the…
Kidney Care Partners Supports Trump’s EO on Kidney Care
Kidney Care Partners – the nation’s largest kidney coalition consisting of patient and patient advocacy groups, researchers and clinicians, providers and manufacturers – today praised the Trump Administration’s announcement to increase focus and investment on the kidney disease epidemic in America, which affects more than 30 million Americans. Click here to see the full article…
CMS Working On Potential Changes To ESRD Pay System
CMS is working on possible changes to the end stage renal disease pay system as part of a broader kidney care revamp unveiled by HHS Wednesday (July 10), as the agency says that “continual refinement of the ESRD PPS is necessary to benefit people living with ESRD.” CMS also is looking at ways to encourage…
Community reacts to Trump’s plan to improve kidney care
Described by HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar II as possibly the most significant step for treating kidney disease since Congress approved legislation in 1973 to create the ESRD Program, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order this week to launch Advancing American Kidney Health, a new initiative to increase earlier intervention in chronic kidney care, incentivize dialysis providers…
Akebia Therapeutics CEO, John P. Butler, Elected Chair of Kidney Care Partners
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (AKBA) a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for patients with kidney disease, today announced that John P. Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia, has been elected Chair of Kidney Care Partners (KCP), the nation’s largest kidney care coalition comprised of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers,…