Advocacy and Public Policy
Shaping Public Policy for Nephrology Health Professionals
ASN promotes the highest quality care by serving as the professional organization informing health policy in kidney disease. Click on the magnifying glass to search by keyword or follow links at the left for more information.
AAKP and ASN Respond to the Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act of 2017
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) have issued a joint response to the Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act of 2017.
While staunch proponents of of the move towards value-based care and increasing care coordination for patients with kidney diseases, both organizations remain concerned about the possibility of unintended consequences and risks associated with foundational aspects of the PATIENTS Act.
ASN and AAKP believe that the potential beneficial elements for patients receiving dialysis in the PATIENTS Act could be achieved in more effective ways that minimize or eliminate the potential risks and unintended consequences, and as such, are unable to support the PATIENTS Act at this time.
Posted: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 @ 12:25 PM
Read more »
ASN Calls On Congress to Fund the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
The American Society of Nephrology joined 150 organizations to call on Congress to fund the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in the final FY 18 appropriations package. An essential element of the nation's health care ecosystem, AHRQ is the only federal agency whose sole focus is to generate research on how to deliver the highest quality care to all patients. Crucial to individuals with kidney diseases, AHRQ research also focuses on the best way to deliver care to "real-world" patients who often live with multiple diseases and conditions.
Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 @ 3:34 PM
Read more »
ASN, ASPN, and RPA Voice Concerns with CKD Care Model
ASN joined with the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology and the Renal Physicians Association to voice concerns regarding the CKD care model outlined in H.R. 3867. The organizations are concerned that the proposed model would exacerbate existing silos of care, limit physician flexibility, and hamper innovation in CKD care, among other concerns.
Posted: Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 5:39 PM
Read more »
ASN Asks Members to Tell Congress Tax Provisions Hurt Patient Care
ASN voices concerns to Senate and House leadership about provisions of tax reform working its way through Congress. These provisions could jeopardize funding levels for Medicare, health and scientific research, and programs supporting the pipeline of future scientists – especially PhD candidates.
Posted: Monday, November 27, 2017 @ 4:11 PM
Read more »
HHS Announces Kidney Innovation Accelerator
At ASN Kidney Week 2017, Bruce D. Greenstein, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the need for innovation in the nephrology space and announced HHS' intent to launch a Kidney Innovation Accelerator.
Posted: Friday, November 03, 2017 @ 11:30 AM
Read more »
Help ASN Fight Proposed Limits on Dialysis Care
Please join ASN to fight against proposed limits on dialysis care. Recently, every Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) nationwide has issued an identical draft Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that would limit the provision of dialysis more than three times per week exclusively to patients with a few specific acute conditions.
Please join ASN in this important fight. Write your local MAC today.
Posted: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 @ 3:27 PM
Read more »
ASN Highlights Concerns with Graham-Cassidy Health Care Proposal
ASN expressed strong objections to the Graham-Cassidy health care proposal under consideration in the U.S. Senate.
Posted: Monday, September 25, 2017 @ 2:30 PM
Read more »
Kidney Community Advocacy Day 2017
Advocates from ASN and 21 other organizations that are all a part of the kidney care community, including patient advocates and clinicians, were on Capitol Hill today to advocate for continued support of NIH funding and the Living Donor Protection Act.
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 @ 6:35 AM
Read more »
ASN Helps Medicare Prepare the Quality Payment Program and Clinicians for Year Two: 2018
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) provides Medicare with comments and recommendations for the proposed rule for the Quality Payment Program in its second year: 2018. Proposed highlights include virtual groups, more assistance for smaller practices, and allowances for easing clinicians into reporting requirements. ASN also offers advice on "topped out" measures, the need for more Advanced Alternative Payment Models (AAPMs), and more.
Posted: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 @ 10:48 AM
Read more »
ASN Remains Concerned About the Impact of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 after Revisions
American Society of Nephrology President Eleanor D. Lederer, MD, FASN, responds to July 13 release of revised Better Care Reconciliation Act. The new version does not address significant shortcomings present in the original bill and will adversely impact the health of millions of Americans.
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 @ 2:36 PM
Read more »
ASN Urges CMS to Delay Deadline, Foster Dialogue, on Pre-Filled Syrine Policy
ASN urged CMS to delay implementation of the pre-filled syringe policy slated to start July 2, 2017) to allow more time for community discussion, including patient and health professional organizations, dialysis providers, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Posted: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 @ 4:58 PM
Read more »
ASN Voices Concerns About the Impact of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017
ASN believes the Better Care Reconciliation Act’s passage would negatively affect millions of patients. ASN has written to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer to express its concerns.
Posted: Monday, June 26, 2017 @ 1:47 PM
Read more »
ASN and AAKP Advocates in Washington
Advocates from ASN and the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) joined forces for the fifth consecutive year to advocate for Congress to increase kidney research funding at the National Institutes of Health and build support for the Living Donor Protection Act (H.R. 1270). This bill would help increase access to transplantation by protecting the rights of living organ donors.
Posted: Monday, May 01, 2017 @ 3:41 PM
Read more »