NKF Statement on Administration’s New Budget Proposal

 

 

“In a newly released budget today, the Administration includes a proposal to extend Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients, a proposal which the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) strongly applauds. Extending Medicare coverage for the life of the transplant will not only save lives but save taxpayers money.”

 

“Two reports released in May 2019 demonstrate that extending immunosuppressive drug coverage saves significant federal funds over ten years.  On May 10^th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation report shows extending the coverage would result in an accumulated savings of approximately $73 million over ten years. A May 23^rd report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of the Actuary, shows an even greater savings, $300 million over ten years.” 

 

“NKF also supports the Administration’s efforts to increase the number of organs available for transplantation by instituting a new accountability framework for Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). In addition to ensuring that OPOs are procuring as many deceased donor organs as possible, the framework would provide greater transparency into the organ procurement process and help patients understand how the performance of their local OPO affects their chances of receiving a transplant.”  

 

“NKF is also a strong supporter of increased funding for biomedical research, innovation, and prevention as well as public awareness initiatives which highlight the need for early detection of kidney disease.  In this regard, we look forward to working closely with Congress, the Administration and other stakeholders to increase our nation’s investment in kidney health.” 

 

In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease— and more than 90% aren’t aware of it. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease.  African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end-stage kidney disease (kidney failure).

 

More than 726,000 Americans have irreversible kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. More than 500,000 of these patients receive dialysis at least three times per week to replace kidney function. Nearly 100,000 Americans are on the waitlist for a kidney transplant right now.  Depending on where a patient lives, the average wait time for a kidney transplant can be upwards of three to seven years. Living organ donation not only saves lives, it saves money. Each year, Medicare spends approximately $89,000 per dialysis patient and less than half, $35,000, for a transplant patient.

 

THE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE platform, which provides nationwide outreach, is designed to increase kidney transplantation through training and tools that help patients and families find a living donor. It includes direct patient and caregiver support through our toll-free help line 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273), peer mentoring from a fellow kidney patient or a living donor, online communities, an advocacy campaign to remove barriers to donation, and a multi-media public awareness campaign. All resources are free and designed to teach kidney patients, or their advocates, how to make a “big ask” to their friends, loved ones, or community to consider making a “big give,” a living organ donation. More information can be found at www.kidney.org/livingdonation.