What we're doing to advocate for the patients who need us the most during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Your May AKF Ambassador update
Dear AKF Ambassador,
People with pre-existing chronic conditions, like kidney disease, are at high risk for serious cases of COVID-19. Because of the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on the people we serve, AKF has been engaging with policymakers to ensure the needs of kidney patients are considered as federal and state governments address the pandemic.
We want to update you on our most recent efforts and provide information on ways AKF Ambassadors can be engaged. Thank you for your continued dedication in being a voice for people with kidney disease!
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Recent AKF efforts
Shortly after the nation shut down in March to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, AKF launched the Coronavirus Emergency Fund to provide one-time assistance to low-income dialysis and post-transplant patients to help with the immediate financial impact that patients reported relating to obtaining kidney-friendly food, affording safe transportation to treatment, and purchasing essential medical supplies. Due to the incredible demand for assistance, the initial funding was quickly depleted.
AKF has asked Congress to include funding in the next COVID-19 federal aid package to allow us to convert the Coronavirus Emergency Fund into a sustained safety net program. Given the overwhelming need for assistance for patients, federal funding would allow us to help more patients with monthly grants over the longer term. AKF also has the infrastructure in place and a proven 50-year track record of providing grants to ensure that funding would quickly get into the hands of patients who need it most.
AKF also sent a letter to the National Governor's Association (NGA) urging caution as states begin lifting safety precautions because dialysis and post-transplant patients—especially those in minority communities—remain at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19. We asked that the NGA and state and local governments develop action plans for reopening that will keep the unique needs of kidney disease patients in mind when moderating stay-at-home orders and strict social distancing measures.
Information on these AKF efforts and other AKF activity in response to the pandemic can be found in our recent press release.
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Take action
Here are additional ways you can take action on critical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Urge Congress to ban "Surprise Bills" in the next COVID-19 legislation
"Surprise bills" are health care bills that patients didn't know were coming. These bills can be much higher than normal copays or coinsurance that consumers pay, and they have led to financial hardship and even ruin for some patients. During this difficult during time of an unprecedented global pandemic, when people are out of work and at-risk of not even being able to pay for medical bills, it is even more important that patients know that they will not have surprise bills.
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Urge Congress to include aid for the American Kidney Fund Coronavirus Emergency Fund in COVID-19 Legislation
As Members of Congress continue to consider legislation to address stemming the coronavirus pandemic and stimulating the economy, they must include provisions that protect individuals on dialysis and those with transplants. We are asking Congress to include funding in the next COVID-19 federal aid package to allow AKF to provide a sustained safety net program for these patients, helping them with monthly grants over a longer term.
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Save the Date: July 15, 2020 – AKF Virtual Kidney Action Summit
The American Kidney Fund will be conducting a virtual Capitol Hill Kidney Action Summit on July 15, 2020.
Stay tuned for more details.
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Help us fight kidney disease |
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©2020 American Kidney Fund, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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