Advocacy & Public Policy

Kidney Health Advocacy

A Message From ASN President Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN

March 31, 2026

Dear Colleague:

In advancing kidney health through policy, research, and education, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) remains focused on ensuring that people living with kidney diseases benefit from practical resources that improve care and outcomes, strong federal policies, and sustained scientific investment. This month's efforts reflect ASN's comprehensive approach to advocacy—spanning legislative and regulatory engagement, research funding, global collaboration, and tools to support patients and clinicians.

1) Advancing Kidney Research Through Federal Funding Advocacy
ASN partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to lead a kidney community funding priorities letter that called on Congress to support the principles of the Transforming Kidney Health Research (TKHR) report by dedicating at least $1 billion for kidney research at the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The letter also urged Congress to support prevention and surveillance efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), modernize the transplant system and living donor support through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and invest in KidneyX to drive innovation. These coordinated efforts are essential to accelerating discovery, supporting the research workforce, and improving outcomes for the millions of people living with kidney diseases.

ASN continues to lead coalition-based advocacy to strengthen federal investment in biomedical research. In recent weeks, ASN led and joined multiple requests urging Congress to provide robust funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 for key agencies, including $500 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, $7.15 billion for National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health overall.

2) Strengthening Kidney Policy Through Legislative Engagement
ASN continues to elevate kidney health priorities on Capitol Hill through direct engagement with policymakers. During ASN's 2026 Hill Day, the society's members and staff met with congressional offices to advocate for 1) the research opportunities identified by the TKHR report by providing an initial investment of $1 billion in FY27 to prioritize kidney health research at NIDDK and 2) the advancement of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act to better support living kidney donors by aiming to make donation a cost-neutral act for most Americans, removing barriers that impede living donors' ability to give the gift of life for research funding, transplant access, and policies that strengthen the kidney care workforce.

In addition, ASN's leadership contributed to key congressional discussions, including a recent hearing hosted by the Health Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means. The Health Subcommittee Hearing, "Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment," highlighted the need for sustained investment in biomedical research and innovation. ASN Health Policy Scholar Suzanne Watnick, MD, FASN, shared ASN's perspectives on the state of care for kidney failure and possible solutions to improve prevention and treatment for kidney diseases.

In her testimony, Dr. Watnick emphasized that Congress could alter the status quo of kidney care by establishing an Officer of Kidney Health and Transplantation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), promoting appropriate screening in populations at risk for kidney diseases, and ensuring patient access to new therapies to manage and prevent kidney diseases by funding areas of research identified in the TKHR report. Together, these efforts ensure that kidney health remains a priority in federal legislative deliberations.

3) Delivering New Resources to Protect Patients Living with Kidney Failure
ASN recently released new resources designed to safeguard patients in high-risk situations, including emergency information cards for individuals living with kidney failure and kidney transplants. These tools are intended to improve communication, enhance patient safety, and ensure that critical clinical information is readily accessible during emergencies. ASN remains committed to developing practical resources that support both patients and care teams in delivering high-quality kidney care.

4) Advancing Kidney Health Through Global Collaboration

While a majority of ASN's policy initiatives are focused on U.S. policy, ASN is truly an international organization with members representing 138 countries and partnerships to advance kidney health around the globe. ASN, in coordination with the Korean Society of Nephrology, recently stated its support for the "Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management Act" recently introduced in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. These global partnerships are critical to addressing the growing burden of kidney diseases and ensuring that innovations in care and policy benefit patients around the world.

In celebration of National Kidney Month, these achievements reflect ASN's commitment to advancing kidney health through coordinated advocacy, strategic partnerships, and meaningful engagement at every level—from Congress to the global stage. ASN looks forward to building on this momentum and working with you to drive further progress in the months ahead.

Thank you for your continued dedication to improving the lives of people with kidney diseases.

Sincerely,

Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN
President

Advocating for Transformative Change

ASN—both individually and as a member of healthcare, medical, and scientific coalitions—routinely engages Congress and the Trump Administration, advocating for policies to create transformative changes in kidney health. ASN relies on its Health Care Justice Committee, Policy and Advocacy Committee, Quality Committee, and Transplant Policy Committee when formulating, prioritizing, and accomplishing annual policy priorities. A summary of ASN's most recent advocacy efforts follows—including for fiscal year (FY) 2026 kidney health research—in reverse chronological order.

Additional Advocacy Resources

February 2025: How Trump's Medical Research Cuts Would Hit Colleges and Hospitals in Every State (New York Times).

Council on Governmental Relations Facilities and Administrative Cost Reimbursement Advocacy Materials.

Association of American Medical Colleges Advocacy Resources on Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs:

• A fact sheet outlining key messages and a frequently asked questions overview.
• A comparison of foundations' support for F&A to government support.
• An infographic illustrating what types of expenses are and are not supported by F&A reimbursement.

January 2025: Research!America releases results of national survey showing Americans want President and Congress to assign higher priority to medical progress.