The American Kidney Fund (AKF) works to increase the public’s awareness of kidney disease, and to ensure that individuals with kidney failure have access to health care. We have been engaged in several advocacy efforts in recent months to protect access to the Medicare ESRD program and to educate patients about upcoming changes related to the Affordable Care Act.
We are holding two more Kidney Action Days next month. If you are in the Atlanta or Houston area, we encourage you to come out and bring your family and friends to get screened!
Later this month we will hold our annual gala, The Hope Affair, which honors inspirational patients and caregivers who were nominated by the public this summer. We are thrilled that one of our patient advocates, NeShell Monroe, from Houston, has been selected to receive the Hero of Hope award, recognizing her for her tireless efforts to educate others about kidney disease during the more than 30 years she has been on dialysis.
From all of us at the American Kidney Fund, thank you for your continued commitment to our advocacy efforts!
Sincerely,
Nikia Okoye Director of Government Relations
Health Insurance Marketplaces Open
Effective Oct. 1, consumers looking for health insurance may choose from state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces. These Marketplaces (formerly called “exchanges”) are a centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, and are intended to help the uninsured find affordable coverage.
On July 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that, if finalized, would result in a 12 percent cut compared to the 2014 baseline in Medicare payments for dialysis services. AKF has been monitoring this issue since the beginning of the year, because protecting access to Medicare is one of our top policy priorities. We believe these proposed cuts could have devastating consequences on kidney patients’ access to quality care, and we have submitted comments to CMS with our concerns.
AKF Advocates Against CMS’ Proposed Cuts
AKF recently joined with several patient advocacy organizations to advocate against CMS’ proposed cuts. On September 10, close to 150 advocates from Dialysis Patient Citizens, Renal Support Network and the American Kidney Fund traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Congress on the importance of protecting access to the Medicare ESRD program.
AKF kicked off its Fall 2013 Kidney Action Day schedule this month with an exciting event in San Antonio (October 6). Next month, we’ll hold Kidney Action Days in Atlanta (November 4) and Houston (November 17). Kidney Action Day is a free, fun-filled, family-friendly event with a serious purpose: helping people understand their risk for kidney disease and how to prevent it.
For more information about other AKF screening events throughout the country, visit our website.
Feedback
Do you have a question about one of the topics discussed in this newsletter? Are there other issues that are directly impacting you or a loved one that you would like to discuss? We want to hear from you! Feel free to contact Nikia Okoye at 800.638.8299 extension 6649 or nokoye@kidneyfund.org with any questions or comments.
Do you have a question about one of the topics discussed in this newsletter? Are there other issues that are directly impacting you or a loved one that you would like to discuss? We want to hear from you! Feel free to contact Nikia Okoye at 800.638.8299 extension 6649 or 
