Renal Support Network

Why Should You Advocate for Kidney Care? Get involved and make a difference. RSN’s advocacy program focuses on State/Federal regulatory and legislative issues that impact or improve the care of people who have chronic kidney disease, including dialysis and kidney transplantation.

According to the latest U.S. Renal Data System Report more than 660,000 Americans are being treated for kidney failure, also called End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Of these, 468,000 are on dialysis and more than 193,000 have a functioning kidney transplant. Each year 100,000 people are newly diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is the same as ESRD. About 30 million US adults are estimated to have CKD and most are undiagnosed. Over 103,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant.

National 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.

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. Join us in educating your elected officials about how they can help with legislation relating to kidney disease, access to treatment, dialysis, transplantation and organ donation.

Take Action to Support Current Legislation that Affects People with Kidney Disease

H.R. 1224/S. 511: Organ donation saves lives and saves money, cutting health care costs by as much as two-thirds and saving Medicare millions of dollars every year. The Living Donor Protection Act would protect living organ donors and promote organ donation in three ways. Click on the take action button to learn more.

California AB 1223: The California Living Organ Donation Bill AB 1223 was introduced by Assembly member Aguiar-Curry. This bill makes significant improvements to existing living donation law. Click on the take action button to learn more.

California SB 784: California lawmakers are reviewing the existing Medigap coverage bill  SB 784. This bill should be amended to include people who have end stage renal disease. Click on the take action button to learn more.

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