Advocacy & Public Policy

Kidney Health Advocacy

A Message From ASN President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN

Dear Colleague:

I am pleased to share this month's advocacy updates from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN). During the past month, ASN remained steadfast in advancing kidney health by defending research and innovation, promoting health equity, and influencing policy in support of our patients and the scientific community.

1) ASN Defends International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Opposes Harmful Visa Restrictions
Because more than one-half of practicing nephrologists and nearly two-thirds of nephrology fellows are IMGs, ASN has prioritized immigration advocacy to ensure access to kidney care across the country. In a recent Healio article covering the Trump administration proclamation titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers", I highlight ASN's interest in collaborating with the community to reverse this action and advocate on behalf of IMGs. Recent advocacy includes:

• H-1B Restrictions: ASN urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to specifically exempt physicians-in-training and practicing nephrologists that will care for people living with kidney diseases from a new $100,000 H-1B entry fee and joined the American Medical Association and more than 50 national medical societies in calling for categorical exemptions for physicians. These restrictions would severely disrupt the physician pipeline and reduce access to lifesaving care, particularly in underserved areas.

• Proposed Rule on J-1 Visas: ASN responded to a DHS proposal to end the "duration of status" framework for J-1 physicians, warning it would destabilize training programs, increase administrative burden, and worsen nephrology workforce shortages. ASN strongly opposed the proposal and urged DHS to maintain the current system, which ensures continuity of care and stability for patients and physicians alike.

2) ASN Highlights Several Policy Priorities in an Official Statement of Record to U.S. Senate Finance Committee Hearing on The President's 2026 Health Care Agenda
In an official Statement for the Record for the Senate Finance Committee's hearing on The President's 2026 Health Care Agenda on September 4, ASN urged Congress to preserve confidence in and access to vaccines, sustain critical funding for scientific research, and strengthen data transparency and integrity.

3) ASN Highlights Concerns About the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
In response to the proposed CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ASN submitted formal comments calling attention to several issues: changes to practice expense methodology, proposed efficiency adjustments, and payment policies that may adversely affect nephrology practices. ASN urged CMS to ensure that any revisions maintain fair reimbursement that supports high-quality kidney care. 

4) ASN Urges Support for the FAIR Model on Indirect Costs
ASN recently submitted a letter to congressional appropriators advocating for support of the FAIR (Facilitating Access to Innovation and Research) model for indirect cost reimbursement proposed by the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs. ASN urged Congress to safeguard research costs, stabilize funding for research infrastructure, and ensure at least a two-year transition period for agencies and institutions to make the necessary changes to an alternative model.

As you prepare for ASN Kidney Week 2025, taking place in Houston, TX, from November 5 – 9, I encourage all members to participate in the policy-focused sessions and events offered throughout the meeting. I have selected out a few ASN Kidney Week 2025 sessions and events that provide important opportunities to engage directly with experts, learn about the latest developments in health policy, and strengthen ASN's collective voice on issues that affect the future of nephrology research, education, and patient care.

As always, I thank you for your commitment to the patients, research, and policies that define our field. To stay up to date on these and other advocacy efforts, please visit ASN's Kidney Health Advocacy page. Your involvement is critical to advancing kidney health through advocacy.

Sincerely,

Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, 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.