Published by Rep. Tom Marino & Rep. John Lewis
July 18, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to join us as cosponsors of H.R. 4814, the Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act of 2014. This legislation would advance research and treatment options related to chronic kidney disease.

Today more than one in ten Americans suffer from some form of kidney disease, and it is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, each year more than 115,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease – irreversible conditions that are fatal without a kidney transplant or life-saving dialysis. Despite such a significant population, medical breakthroughs have been slow to materialize.

H.R. 4814 would improve the coordination of federal research, expand the opportunity for care coordination, and promote patient access to care and education. It includes incentives for home dialysis, and for practitioners to provide services in underserved rural and urban areas.

Additionally, the legislation would expand the coverage options for beneficiaries with kidney failure by allowing them to maintain their existing insurance longer, and by providing access to additional Medicare program options such as Medicare Advantage plans, Special Needs plans for End Stage Renal Disease, and a voluntary coordinated care program. It also would address problems with the current reimbursement system.

We urge you to become a co-sponsor of this important legislation. Please contact Jaclyn Louis at 5-3731 in Representative Marino’s office or Tom Dorney at 5-3801 for more information.