Wellness & Education Kidney Advocacy Network (weKAN)
Why Advocate for Kidney Care?
Each year, nearly 100,000 people are newly diagnosed with kidney failure. End Stage Renal Disease (stage 5 CKD) is the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States.
Only one thing can help change the course of this disease, and that is for anyone who is affected by it, whether patient, family member or renal professional, to get involved.
About weKAN
weKAN promotes self-advocacy and self-determination by showing patients how to become actively involved in medical, regulatory, and legislative decisions affecting their lives. The common goal of all weKAN patient activists is to ensure that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to receive quality care by empowering fellow patients to make informed decisions about their care. So help RSN make a difference and GET Involved! Email weKAN@rsnhope.org if you want to get involved.
Medical vs. Regulatory vs. Legislative
Medical decisions are made by medical professionals in a clinical setting, such as in a dialysis center, hospital, or doctor’s office. Compared to regulatory or legislative, medical decisions are often the easiest type of decision to modify or revoke. You have likely witnessed the making of many medical decisions during your experiences with CKD, such as when your doctor decides to change the amount of time that you spend dialyzing during each treatment.
Regulatory decisions are made within industries or within the bodies that oversee these industries with the intent of regulating a certain problem or legislative requirement. The regulatory decision-making process allows for a period of public comment, which enables the rulemaking body to make their decision(s) based on all of the evidence submitted. Regulatory decisions are made at either the state or federal level and impact areas such as public health, environment, and safety. Examples of areas of regulatory decisions and regulatory decision-making bodies include: the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Legislative decisions are made within one or both bodies of Congress (i.e., the House of Representatives or the Senate), must be passed by vote, and approved with the President’s signature in order to become a law.
