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WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Kidney Care Access Coalition — a group of leading kidney care, disability, and patient organizations advocating for passage of H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act — announced the Black Women’s Health Imperative has joined the Coalition. BWHI issued the following statement of support:
“The Black Women’s Health Imperative, the first and only national non-profit solely dedicated to achieving health equity for Black women globally, is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition and its mission to restore critical protections for dialysis patients and their families. Solving the most pressing issues affecting Black women is at the core of everything we do, and kidney disease currently affects 1 in 7 adults in the US – with a disproportionate number of them from the African American community. We understand the importance of this issue and the need for Congress to act so kidney patients and their families are ensured the protections they deserve.”
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Black Women's Health Imperative Joins Kidney Care Access Coalition
Leading national non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls joins effort to restore protections for dialysis patients and their families
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Today, the kidney care community and patient advocacy organizations announced the launch of the Kidney Care Access Coalition – a group of organizations focused on restoring long-standing, anti-discrimination protections for people with kidney failure by prohibiting employer health plans from limiting, restricting, or conditioning only the benefits the plan provides for dialysis services.
Thirty-seven million Americans have kidney disease, and over 800,000 people in the U.S. have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the final, permanent stage of chronic kidney disease, which disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities. Dialysis becomes a necessary, but difficult part of life for ESRD patients that they must balance along with life’s other responsibilities like work and family. In June 2022, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that employer health plans now rely on to severely limit or altogether eliminate coverage for outpatient dialysis. These plans are discriminating against patients with kidney failure, which also impacts their family members. The Kidney Care Access Coalition is calling on Congress to reverse the negative, unintended consequences of the Supreme Court decision on dialysis patients and their families.
“Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians often treat individuals with kidney failure as part of their overall rehabilitation due to a disabling health condition. We join the disability community in support of legislation to reestablish protections for patients with kidney failure so employer-provided health plans do not discriminate by limiting benefits that cause them to prematurely become solely dependent on Medicare.” — American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
“The American Association on Health and Disability, an organization dedicated to ensuring health equity, health promotion and wellness, and inclusion for persons with disabilities, and specifically dedicated to integrating public health and disability into the overall public health agenda, is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition as we continue to push Congress to protect patients with a variety of co-occurring conditions, including kidney failure. Discrimination against dialysis patients and their families sets a dangerous precedent, and we are hopeful Congress will act soon to restore protections.” – American Association on Health and Disability
“The American Kidney Fund has long fought on behalf of the kidney community to help ensure people with kidney disease are supported at every stage. We’re proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition to restore vital protections for these patients and their families. We call on Congress to act and ensure people with kidney disease and their families are not discriminated against by employer health plans.” - American Kidney Fund
The American Society of Nephrology is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition. People living with kidney failure deserve to have choice and stability in their health insurance coverage, and we are calling on Congress to act now to restore protections for dialysis patients and their families.” – Michelle A. Josephson, MD, FASN, President, American Society of Nephrology
“ESRD patients are already trying to balance their treatment with the challenges of everyday life. The recent decision by the Supreme Court adds to the inequity in our health care system by allowing employer health plans to discriminate against dialysis patients and impacting coverage for their families. We are proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition, urging Congress to step in quickly and ensure the protection of patients and their loved ones.” – American Therapeutic Recreation Association
“For over four decades, our organization has proudly represented the interests of Californians receiving kidney care. As a continuation of that mission, we are joining the broader kidney care community in calling on Congress to act now to protect patients and their families from the negative impacts we’ve seen since last year’s Supreme Court decision.” - California Kidney Care Alliance
“We are proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition in the fight to restore long-standing protections for people with kidney failure. We need strong and clear legislation to ensure that employer health plans provide the same services to those with chronic diseases, including End Stage Renal Disease, that they do for other illnesses. No one should have to manage disease-based discrimination.” - Chronic Disease Coalition
“Dialysis Patient Citizens, the nation's largest patient-led organization working to improve the quality of life for dialysis patients, is proud to partner with groups spanning the dialysis community in the fight to restore the longstanding protections that dialysis patients and their families deserve. Too many of our members are struggling to secure a kidney transplant and we can’t afford for that process to become even more difficult. Others may see their children kicked off of their private insurance coverage even sooner than they expected. We need Congress to act now to protect patients and their families. We look forward to working together to ensure Members understand the urgent need for a legislative fix.” - Dialysis Patient Citizens
“Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition, a leading coalition dedicated to advocating for optimal vascular access care for dialysis patients, is honored to join the dialysis community in the fight to restore protections for dialysis patients and their loved ones. The Kidney Care Access Coalition is calling for urgent action from Congress to stand up for patients and families and safeguard their coverage and access to care.” - Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition
“ESRD patients should not have to decide between paying for expensive out-of-pocket dialysis care or paying for expensive out-of-pocket insurance to cover their family. In joining the Kidney Care Access Coalition, the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance is proud to signal our support for those patients in Illinois and around the country that have been negatively impacted by last year’s Supreme Court decision.” - Illinois Kidney Care Alliance
“Kidney Care Council is proud to join our industry partners in calling on Congress to ensure that individuals with ESRD can continue to elect health coverage that is most appropriate for them and their families, a right they’ve had for the last 40 years. Dialysis offers ESRD patients the best opportunity to manage their disease, but last year’s Supreme Court decision negatively impacts coverage for dialysis patients and their families. It’s unacceptable to add to the burden of care for ESRD patients, and we urge Congress to take up legislation as soon as possible.” - Kidney Care Council
“For two decades, we have been committed to promoting quality and protecting care, choice, and access for individuals living with kidney disease, kidney failure, and transplants. It is unacceptable that the recent Supreme Court decision threatens to undermine our nation’s most vulnerable patients. We are proud to partner with the kidney care community to ensure patients and families aren’t forced off their coverage as a result of this ruling, and we urge Congress to act to reverse it.” - Kidney Care Partners
“As we continue to work toward fulfilling our mission to enable people with physical disability and chronic health conditions to lead healthy, active, and independent lifestyles, the Lakeshore Foundation stands with the Kidney Care Access Coalition in urging Congress to restore protections for dialysis patients and their families. We urge Members of Congress to take action now to protect this vulnerable patient population.” – Lakeshore Foundation
“Last year’s Supreme Court decision set a dangerous precedent for individuals struggling to manage severe and potentially fatal diseases. As a patient-led organization, we are honored to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition in the fight to ensure ESRD patients and their families do not face discriminatory practices from their employer health plans. We are passionately urging Congress to stand with us and act to protect patients and their loved ones.” - Lupus and Allied Diseases Association Inc.
“At the forefront of our mission is supporting policies and programs that promote self-determination, integration, and inclusion for all people. ESRD patients should not be discriminated against for needing access to life-saving care. NACDD is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition to call on Congress to immediately restore protections for dialysis patients.” – National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
The National Black Nurses Association, the professional voice for over 200,000 African American registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and retired nurses, was founded on the premise that whatever adversely affects Black people, affects us all. We know that ESRD disproportionately impacts the African American community – and we are joining the Kidney Care Access Coalition to urge Congress to restore critical protections for these patients and their families. – National Black Nurses Association
“The National Hispanic Medical Association is joining the Kidney Care Access Coalition in their efforts to urge Congress to act fast to protect dialysis patients and their families. We know the incidence of ESRD in Hispanics is higher than non-Hispanic white patients. The recent Supreme Court decision makes health care inequality worse in our country and puts at risk crucial protections for dialysis patients and their families.” – National Hispanic Medical Association
“Kidney patients are among the most vulnerable patients in America, and it is unacceptable that a recent Supreme Court decision allows discrimination against them and their families. That is why we are joining the Kidney Care Access Coalition and calling on Congress to restore protections for these patients and their families. As we strive to achieve an equitable healthcare system that works for everyone, it is critically important that Congress act on this issue.”- National Patient Advocate Foundation
“The Northwest Kidney Council is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition. Dialysis patients in the Northwest and throughout the country already face enough challenges, balancing their treatment needs with life’s responsibilities and we should not be making their lives any harder. Congress must act and restore protections for patients and their families.” - Northwest Kidney Council
“A diagnosis of kidney failure is life-changing for patients and their families. Managing this disease is difficult, and public policy should not make it any harder. As we seek to empower patients and encourage policymakers to do what is best for patient care, RenalSupport Network is proud to join the Kidney Care Access Coalition. Together, the dialysis community and our allies are calling on Congress to restore protections for patients and their families now.” - RenalSupport Network
“The Spina Bifida Association joins the Kidney Care Access Coalition in calling on Congress to take action and restore protections for dialysis patients. Because of a recent Supreme Court Decision, the health care coverage of ESRD patients and their families is at risk. No one should be forced off of their health care coverage for needing life-saving dialysis treatments.” - Spina Bifida Association
The following organizations and companies are the current members of the coalition: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association on Health and Disability, American Kidney Fund, American Society of Nephrology, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Amputee Coalition, California Kidney Care Alliance, Chronic Disease Coalition, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition, Illinois Kidney Care Alliance, Kidney Care Council, Kidney Care Partners, Lakeshore Foundation, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Black Nurses Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Patient Advocate Foundation, Northwest Kidney Council, RenalSupport Network and Spina Bifida Association.
Kidney Care Community and Patient Advocates Announce the Launch of Kidney Care Access Coalition
WASHINGTON, DC – The Kidney Care Access Coalition – a coalition of kidney care and patient advocacy organizations – released the following statement applauding the introduction of H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, which was introduced on a bipartisan basis by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Yvette Clark (D-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA):
“We thank Reps. Kelly, Clarke, Davis, Dunn, Joyce, and Ruiz for the introduction of this important bill that will restore long-standing protections for people with kidney failure and their families. When individuals are diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), it dramatically changes their lives, and dialysis becomes a life-sustaining treatment they must seek – three times a week for three to four hours a session, in addition to juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. It is incredibly difficult, and we strongly believe public policy should not make life any harder for these individuals, many of whom are from historically marginalized communities and who have co-occurring chronic health conditions.
“Unfortunately, the Supreme Court decision in June 2022 has allowed employer group health plans to target dialysis patients by carving out the kidney care services they need to survive, thereby forcing them off their coverage – impacting not just patients, but their families as well. It’s unacceptable, and we believe it sets a dangerous precedent that not only harms patients, but also Medicare. We applaud the leadership of Reps. Kelly, Clarke, Dunn, Davis, Joyce, and Ruiz, and we thank them for their bipartisan commitment to ensuring patients have choice in their coverage and that group health plans cannot discriminate against ESRD patients and their families. We hope that the House will swiftly take up this legislation and bring it to the Floor for a vote.”
Kidney Care Access Coalition Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan
Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Kidney Care Access Coalition — a group of leading kidney care, disability, and patient organizations advocating for passage of H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act — announced that former Representatives Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Kevin Brady (R-TX) are joining the coalition as senior advisors. The announcement follows the introduction of the bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act in Congress by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Yvette Clark (D-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).
“Americans living with kidney failure are among the most medically complex patients in the United States, with a heavy burden of care as they seek dialysis treatment. These patients are predominantly people of color, and they often have co-occurring conditions. Three times a week for multiple hours a day, these patients receive life-sustaining care, while they juggle other responsibilities like family and work. Public policy should be focused on making their lives easier — not harder or more disruptive. Unfortunately, a June 2022 Supreme Court decision has done the exact opposite, affecting kidney patients and their families around the country, including in my home state. This is an issue that Democrats and Republicans can find common ground on, and I look forward to working alongside the coalition in a bipartisan fashion to restore long-standing protections for dialysis patients and their families that Congress adopted more than 40 years ago,” said former Representative Richmond.
“During my 20-plus years in the United States Congress, I was a member of the Congressional Kidney Caucus and worked closely on several issues impacting the kidney care community. It’s a vulnerable patient population that I have long supported, and I’m proud to work alongside the Kidney Care Access Coalition as we urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, a bill that will positively impact the lives of dialysis patients and their families nationwide. Dialysis patients, especially those who rely upon insurance for themselves and their families through work, deserve choice in their health care coverage. Congress sought to make sure they could choose coverage that is best for them by including protections in the statute nearly 45 years ago. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court decision weakened those protections. This bipartisan bill reinstates them as Congress originally intended and will ensure that those needing dialysis are not discriminated against because of their diagnosis or their need for dialysis treatments,” said former Representative Brady.
During his 10 years in Congress, Cedric Richmond served on the House Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees and as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. After co-chairing Joe Biden’s successful 2020 presidential campaign, Richmond was appointed senior advisor to the president-elect and then Assistant to the President and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, a role he served in for nearly 2 years.
Kevin Brady spent 25 years as the Representative from Texas’ 8th Congressional District. During his tenure, Brady served as the Chairman of the Committee on Ways & Means and as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation, Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee of the House and Senate, and chaired both the Health Care and Trade Subcommittees of Ways and Means. Prior to his time in Congress, Brady worked as a Chamber of Commerce executive for 18 years.
Former Reps. Cedric Richmond and Kevin Brady Join the Kidney Care Access Coalition as Senior Advisors
Former Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus and House Ways and Means Committee, respectively, bring over 40 years of Congressional experience to campaign focused on restoring protections for dialysis patients and their families
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Kidney Care Access Coalition — a group of leading kidney care, disability, and patient organizations advocating for passage of H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act — released a new ad focused on educating the public about the need to ensure dialysis patients have choice in their coverage and cannot be discriminated against because of their kidney failure diagnosis or their need for dialysis treatment.
In the ad, a dialysis nurse describes the heavy burden of care that dialysis patients carry by having to receive dialysis three times a week for multiple hours a session but notes that it is life-sustaining care. She says: “My dialysis patients need treatment three days a week to live. It takes a huge toll on their daily routines. We don't want this to be a situation where they're living for dialysis. We want dialysis to help them live their lives.”
A recent Supreme Court decision undermined long-standing statutory protections by ruling that employer-group health plans can discriminate against patients with kidney failure based on their need for dialysis treatment. This means patients can be forced off their employer group health plan earlier than they would have chosen – impacting their spouse and kids. The ad calls for passage of H.R. 6860, the bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, to restore protections for dialysis patients and their families that Congress adopted more than 40 years ago. The bill was introduced late last year by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Yvette Clark (D-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).
The ad campaign will run across television, streaming, and digital platforms.
Kidney Care Access Coalition Releases New Ad Calling for Passage of the
Bipartisan Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, on World Kidney Day, Kidney Care Access Coalition Senior Advisors Cedric Richmond and Kevin Brady released the following statement, calling on Congress to restore protections for dialysis patients and their families:
“World Kidney Day serves as a reminder of the pressing need to address the challenges of Americans battling End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). We find ourselves in a critical moment – our healthcare system isn’t working for these patients and their families. It’s why we are urging Congress to pass H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act – a necessary, bipartisan piece of legislation that will simply restore long-standing protections put in place by Congress for kidney patients and their families. The bill ensures patients have choice in their health care coverage and cannot be discriminated against because of their diagnosis or their need for dialysis treatment. These patients suffer enough – the long treatments multiple days a week on top of juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. We don’t need to make their lives any harder. Congress must act now to ensure dialysis patients and their families receive the protections they deserve.”
On World Kidney Day, Congress Should Act and Protect Dialysis Patients and Their Families
WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday evening, kidney care advocates came together for an event during National Kidney Month focused on the challenges faced by dialysis patients and what steps can be taken to ensure they have access to the care they need. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA), sponsor of the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, American Kidney Fund President LaVarne A. Burton, and Kidney Care Access Coalition Senior Advisors Cedric Richmond and Kevin Brady spoke to a room of over 100 stakeholders and advocates about the urgent need to protect dialysis patients and their families and pass Rep. Kelly’s bipartisan legislation, and how Congress is in a unique position to take bipartisan action to protect this vulnerable population.
In an opening conversation with Axios Healthcare Editor Tina Reed, Burton began the event discussing the challenges that patients with kidney disease face.
“There are concerns about the way the system is working. Concerns about whether or not the payments system is adequately supporting a good quality of care. There are issues around insurance coverage – making sure that patients can get the full coverage that they need,” said Burton. “As the system becomes more financially challenging, we're finding that many centers are closing – so people have to go much further to get care. And you've got to remember that when you are seeking dialysis, you've got to go three times a week.”
In conversation moderated by Chris Frates, Richmond and Brady discussed why they’ve come together on this issue.
“This bill simply restores the long-standing patient protections for dialysis patients and their families. It reverses those negative… unintended consequences [from the Supreme Court decision] in a big way. It makes sure that insurance plans don't discriminate in a way that prematurely moves people off a plan of their choice,” said Brady. “The urgency here is that we don't want to just stand by and watch those patient protections eroded or undermined.”
“You're talking about real life, human suffering, you're talking about real health outcomes… Kevin and I, although he's a Republican and I’m a Democrat, we both share a desire to make other people's lives better,” said Richmond. “The people who have introduced this legislation… understand how serious this is, and that we can't kick this can down the road. What makes legislation possible in this environment is that it's a good bipartisan team.”
Finally, Kelly told Axios Health Policy Reporter Victoria Knight why he introduced the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act.
“This is an issue that's not political. This is an issue that talks about the possibilities of making sure we can keep our citizens happy, and we have the ability to do it. And I think once you realize that it's no longer a red issue or a blue issue, it's just a good issue,” said Kelly. “A key aspect of this bill is that it allows patients to stay on their private health plans for longer, rather than being forced to go into Medicare earlier than maybe they want to… It's about having a policy so if something goes wrong, it's going to be taken care of because you paid into the policy all those years without one single claim.”
Kidney Care Advocates Urge Congress to Support Kidney Disease Patients By Passing Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act
Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA), American Kidney Fund President LaVarne A. Burton, and Kidney Care Access Coalition Senior Advisors Cedric Richmond and Kevin Brady unite at event to call on Congress to pass H.R. 6860, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act
