WASHINGTON – Kidney Care Partners (KCP) – the nation’s leading kidney care multi-stakeholder coalition representing patient advocates, physician organizations, health professional groups, dialysis providers, researchers and manufacturers – shared the following reaction to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) alternative payment model proposal: 

The path to a kidney transplant – the ideal treatment for those living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) – is complex and is often challenging for patients to navigate effectively. Today, over 100,000 Americans are on the kidney transplant waitlist, and nearly 9,000 of these patients drop off the list each year due to delays, resulting in death or deteriorating health. 

“As a leader in the kidney care community with members representing all aspects of the care continuum, KCP applauds the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) work to bring accountability for quality and cost, access, and health equity to America’s organ transplant network,” said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of KCP. “While we are still evaluating the full impact of this proposal, by improving safety, equity, and accountability within the US organ transplant network, we can help ensure that the current system makes improvements to better serve those living with kidney failure.  The kidney care community looks forward to continuing to work alongside policymakers to enact pro-patient measures that improve access and expand choice for those seeking a kidney transplant.”