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.
ASN Responds to FDA Front-of-Package Label Public Comment Opportunity
In the letter, ASN expresses concern over the continued omission of phosphorus content from nutrition labeling.
- Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2025 @ 3:23 PM
ASN Fights to Protect Access to Care
ASN & AKF, in a letter to Congressional leadership, advocated to protect kidney patients in Congressional negotiations on The Big Beautiful Bill.
- Posted Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 4:52 PM
ASN Responds to Health Technology Ecosystem Request for Information
ASN submits comments in response to a request for information (RFI) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC Health IT) on ways to improve the health technology ecosystem.
- Posted Tuesday, June 17, 2025 @ 3:27 PM
ASN Comments on ICH-CAHPS Related Measures During Spring 2025 E&M Cycle
ASN submitted comments on measures related to the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (ICH-CAHPS) Survey during the Spring 2025 Endorsement and Maintenance (E&M) comment cycle. ASN's feedback addressed concerns about low survey response rates and limited patient engagement and emphasized the growing need for a home dialysis counterpart to the ICH-CAHPS survey.
- Posted Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 12:37 PM
ASN Joins AKF in An Open Letter to Congress Opposing Cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Health Care
ASN joined AKF in a letter to Congressional leadership urging members to reject the final reconciliation bill of H.R.1., which proposed damaging cuts to Medicaid, Affordable Care Marketplace plans, and SNAP Benefits.
- Posted Monday, June 09, 2025 @ 2:58 PM
ASN and Kidney Community Urge Congress to Increase NIDDK Funding
ASN is joined by 30 organizations to call on Congress to increase National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) appropriations no less than $207 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. ASN and the Kidney community note that Kidney research is vastly underfunded, and that the budget increase is needed to support kidney disease research amid proposed budget cuts to NIH programs.
- Posted Thursday, May 29, 2025 @ 12:27 PM
ASN and Kidney Community Urge Congress to Uphold Commitment to KidneyX
ASN is joined by the Kidney community in urging Congress to uphold their commitment of $25 million in funding to Kidney X in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Bill.
- Posted Thursday, May 29, 2025 @ 12:00 PM
ASN Supports OPTN Policy Changes to Advance HOPE Act Implementation and Expand HIV-Positive Organ Transplants
ASN recently submitted comments in response to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's (OPTN) March 2025 proposal concerning the implementation of the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act of 2013. In its response, ASN voiced strong support for the proposed changes to OPTN policy that would align it with current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines by eliminating research requirements for the transplantation of kidneys, livers, and liver-kidneys from HIV-positive donors to recipients living with HIV. ASN has been a vocal advocate for the HOPE Act for over a decade and continues to champion the law's goals to expand access to life-saving transplants for people living with HIV.
- Posted Tuesday, May 13, 2025 @ 1:38 PM
ASN Comments on Section 232 Pharmaceutical Investigation
ASN, together with members of the Kidney Care Partners (KCP) coalition, submitted a formal comment to the Department of Commerce''s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), opposing proposed tariffs on pharmaceuticals essential for treating kidney failure. The coalition emphasized that these tariffs are not needed for national security and could significantly restrict access to life-saving medications for patients undergoing dialysis or kidney transplant. The coalition''s letter called for the exclusion of ESRD-specific medications from any trade measures, highlighting their critical importance in both dialysis and transplant.
- Posted Tuesday, May 13, 2025 @ 11:59 AM
ASN Voices Strong Opposition to CMS Proposal to Decrease Data Access, Warns of Harm to Kidney Disease Research and Patient Care
ASN resubmitted comments in response to CMS''s proposal to discontinue the physical delivery of critical health care data in support of external research projects. ASN reiterated concern that CMS''s new policy requiring researchers to use the Chronic Conditions Warehouse Virtual Research Data Center (CCW VRDC) to access CMS Research Identifiable File (RIF) data will jeopardize the future of kidney disease research, especially considering the high cost associated with accessing the CCW VRDC. If finalized, this policy will go into effect in late 2026
- Posted Monday, April 21, 2025 @ 3:23 PM
ASN Advocates that NIH Receive $51.3 billion in FY 2026
ASN joins more than 500 members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, which includes organizations representing patients, scientists, health professionals, research and academic institutions, educators, and industry, in urging Congress to provide at least $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health for fiscal year 2026, in addition to support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which would represent a $4.2 billion or 9.0% increase over the final FY 2025 funding levels.
- Posted Thursday, April 10, 2025 @ 11:50 AM
ASN Urges UN Member States to Vote in Favor of WHO Resolution on Kidney Health
ASN joins 16 international kidney organizations to call on UN Member States to vote in favor of the WHO resolution on kidney health during the 78th World Health Assembly. Supporting this resolution is a crucial step toward reducing the global burden of kidney disease and ensuring that millions of people have access to lifesaving care.
- Posted Thursday, April 10, 2025 @ 10:51 AM
ASN emphasizes NIH role in kidney disease research
ASN emphasizes NIH role in kidney disease research to recently confirmed NIH Director Bhattacharya.
- Posted Monday, March 31, 2025 @ 3:57 PM
ASN Calls on Congress to Fully Fund AHRQ in FY 2026
ASN is proud to join the Friends of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and over 190 other groups in calling on Congress to fully fund AHRQ at $500 million for FY26. AHRQ is the leading federal agency for funding health services research and primary care research.
- Posted Monday, March 03, 2025 @ 2:24 PM
ASN Urges Congress to Provide Robust Funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY 2025 Appropriations Package
ASN and more than 600 medical and scientific organizations have urged Congress to prioritize robust funding for the NIH in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations bill and, in that legislation, preserve existing protections against cuts to reimbursement for NIH grantee Facilities and Administrative costs. The letter advocates the NIH receive at least a $1.77 billion increase in funding and supports the continuation of Section 224 of the FY24 Appropriations Act in the final FY25 Appropriations bill which prohibits changes to NIH Facilities & Administrative cost reimbursements.
- Posted Tuesday, February 25, 2025 @ 1:54 PM
ASN Advocates for Increased Federal Investment in NIH Supported Research
ASN and more than 300 organizations welcomed all members of the 119th Congress and emphasized the critical importance of federal investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The letter underscored that continued investment in NIH is essential for advancing cures and maintaining the nation''s leadership in global medical research.
- Posted Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 4:50 PM
ASN Advocates for the Expansion of Oral Health Coverage for Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) Patients
After CMS expanded oral health coverage for end-stage renal disease patients in last year's ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS) and Quality Incentive Program (QIP) final rule, ASN urged CMS extend this coverage to patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The letter proposes that Medicare to cover dental services essential, such as treatment for periodontitis, which are critical in diabetes management and complication prevention.
- Posted Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 4:24 PM
ASN Comments on CMS-4208-P CY2026 Medicare Advantage Policy & Technical Changes Proposed Rule
ASN submitted comments in response to the public comment period for CMS-4208-P: Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
- Posted Wednesday, February 05, 2025 @ 3:21 PM
ASN requests OSHA finalize and implement new heat injury and prevention standard
ASN and more than 80 other organizations urge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration finalize and implement its new heat injury and prevention standard, due to the link between occupational heat exposure and the development of serious medical issues including to the kidney.
- Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
ASN Comments on PQM Fall 2024 Measures Under Consideration
ASN submits comments in response to Battelle's Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Fall 2024 Measures Under Consideration Cycle.
- Posted Monday, January 13, 2025 @ 2:15 PM
ASN Gives Recommendations to HHS to Improve Pre-Waitlisting Data Collection for Kidney Transplant Candidates
ASN supports HHS's proposal to collect data on "black box" between referral for kidney transplant and waitlisting but urges crucial steps to minimize burden on transplant centers.
- Posted Friday, January 03, 2025 @ 1:29 PM
ASN Comments on PQM Fall 2024 E&M Measure Cycle
ASN responds to Battelle's Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Fall 2024 Endorsement and Maintenance (E&M) Comment Cycle.
- Posted Tuesday, December 17, 2024 @ 9:34 AM
ASN requests an increase to both NIH and NIDDK budget in the final 2025 spending bill
ASN and 30 organizations request for Congress to complete the FY 2025 Labor-HHS funding bill which would provide $48.9 billion in NIH funding and $2.31 billion for NIDDK funding by the end of the calendar year.
- Posted Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 3:34 PM
ASN requests a finalized 2025 spending bill for NIH and ARPA-H funding
ASN and nearly 400 organizations request no less than $48.9 billion for base funding for the NIH, as well as funding for ARPA-H, to be finalized in the Labor-HHS spending bill by the end of the calendar year.
- Posted Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 3:17 PM
ASN Signs Letter To Prevent Medicare Physician Payment Cut
ASN joins 129 organizations that are supporting the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024. This bill would replace the 2.83 percent Medicare physician payment cut with a 1.8 percent payment update for 2025, which is equivalent to half of the forecasted physician practice cost inflation increase for 2025.
- Posted Monday, November 18, 2024 @ 5:51 PM
ASN Supports Proposed Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act
This legislation would authorize state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive, coordinated care through a health home model for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) based on their SCD status alone. ASN is signing onto this letter because SCD can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage, chronic kidney disease, and ESRD.
- Posted Friday, November 15, 2024 @ 6:17 PM
ASN Urges President Biden to Declare a Public Health Emergency as Hurricane Helene Curtails PD Fluid and IV Solutions Production
On Friday, September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene damaged the Baxter manufacturing plant in Marion, NC, the largest plant in the United States for both peritoneal dialysate and intravenous (IV) fluids. This facility is a critical supplier of IV and PD solutions, producing approximately 60%—or 1.5 million bags—of the IV solutions used every day in this country. In this letter to the White House, ASN urges President Biden to declare a declare a shortage of PD fluid and sterile IV solutions and declare a national Public Health Emergency under the National Emergencies Act and/or the Stafford Act allowing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to allow for waivers of Medicare/Medicaid rules and regulations.
- Posted Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 1:14 PM
ASN Supports Proposed Revisions to Transplant Center Metrics
Changes may allow some programs to accept more complex kidneys or candidates who would benefit from transplantation as well as decrease organ nonuse.
- Posted Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 1:07 PM
ASN Supports Full HOPE Act Implementation
More than 10 years after ASN advocated for passage of the HOPE Act, the society supports full implementation, allowing HIV+ to HIV+ kidney transplants outside of the research environment, increasing access and equity.
- Posted Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 10:42 AM
ASN Resubmits 2021 Comments in Support of Vifor's Citizen Petition
In this comment letter, ASN reiterates the supplemental comments originally provided in 2021 in support of Vifor's citizen petition (Docket No. FDA-2021-P-0893). The petition requests that the FDA reverse certain actions announced on May 26, 2021. These actions include, among other things, changes to the established names and active ingredient names of sucroferric oxyhydroxide and three IV iron products—iron sucrose, sodium ferric gluconate, and iron dextran—to "ferric oxyhydroxide." FDA''s actions also included steps to implement the change in active ingredient name in Drugs@FDA and the Orange Book.
- Posted Thursday, September 26, 2024 @ 2:36 PM
ASN Questions Continued Pursuit of Continuous Distribution
Responding to an OPTN Summer Comment Period Update on ongoing advancement of a Continuous Distribution allocation framework, ASN raised concerns about challenges and inefficiencies experienced with the existing allocation framework and questioned whether further expansion of this approach makes sense in light of the available data.
- Posted Thursday, September 26, 2024 @ 2:26 PM
ASN Joins 120+ Organizations in Sign-on Letter to Urge Congress to Fix Physician Payment
ASN joins 120+ organizations in sign-on letter to urge Congress to fix physician payment in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
- Posted Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 3:39 PM
ASN Joins Kidney Community to Urge the of Finalization FY25 Labor HHS Appropriations Bill
ASN joins kidney community to urge the of finalization FY25 Labor HHS Appropriations Bill.
- Posted Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 3:28 PM
ASN Comments on CMS-1807-P: CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
ASN comments on CMS-1807-P: CY2025 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments
- Posted Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @ 2:34 PM
ASN Comments on CMS-1805-P: CY25 End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System
ASN comments on CMS-1805-P: CY2025 End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Payment for Renal Dialysis Services Furnished to Individuals with Acute Kidney Injury, Conditions for Coverage for End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities, End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, and End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model
- Posted Monday, August 26, 2024 @ 3:40 PM
ASN Comments on House Proposed NIH Reforms
ASN submitted comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on its proposal titled Reforming the National Institutes of Health Framework for Discussion. The NIH restructuring proposed in the framework is also reflected in the House Appropriations Committees'' Fiscal Year 2025 "Labor-HHS" bill.
- Posted Friday, August 16, 2024 @ 4:52 PM
ASN commends CMMI for proposing the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model
ASN submits comments on the CMMI IOTA Model and strongly supports its aim to increase patient access to kidney transplantation.
- Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 @ 12:25 PM