Urge Your US Senators to Support Funding for Kidney Research

Take action to increase funding for kidney disease

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) need better and more effective treatments. Over 37 million Americans have kidney disease and most of them don’t even know it. Kidney failure is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. There are almost 555,000 people on dialysis in the United States, and another almost 210,000 individuals living with a kidney transplant. Americans need a bigger investment in kidney research to understand and halt the progression of CKD - or even stop it from happening altogether. The NIH institute that is focused on kidney research is the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

On July 27, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4502. The legislation included $49 billion for the NIH, with a 5% increase to the NIDDK. The increase is needed to understand kidney disease better.

The bill also included $5 million for KidneyX for FY 2022. The KidneyX Innovation Accelerator is a public/private partnership between the American Society of Nephrology and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The partnership’s goal is to drive innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases by identifying promising technologies through competitions and awarding funding to the winners.

This legislation has now been referred to the Senate. Please urge your Senators to vote for adequate funding for kidney research when these yearly bills are debated and enacted.

Recipients

  • Your Senators

Contact

*Required fields
 

The following questions are for AKF internal use only
1.
Question - Not Required - What is your connection to kidney disease?

2.


 

Once you submit the form, your personalized message will be sent directly to your Senators.
 
 

Message

Please support increase funding for kidney disease research

Dear [Decision Maker],



As someone who has been touched by kidney disease, I am urging you to support funding for kidney research.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) need better and more effective treatments. Over 37 million Americans have kidney disease and most of them don't even know it. Kidney failure is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. There are almost 555,000 people on dialysis in the United States, and another almost 210,000 individuals living with a kidney transplant. Americans need a bigger investment in kidney research to understand and halt the progression of CKD or even stop it from happening altogether.

The kidney community has banded together to request $46.111 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This would be a $3.177 billion increase over the comparable FY 2021 funding level, which will allow the NIH's base budget to keep pace with the biomedical research and development price index (BRDPI) of 2.3%. The funding would allow for growth of 5%. We are advocating for least $157 million of the NIH increase to be allotted to National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for a total of $2.289 billion in FY 2022.

Additionally, we are requesting $25 million for KidneyX for FY 2022. The KidneyX Innovation Accelerator is a public/private partnership between the American Society of Nephrology and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The partnership's goal is to drive innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases by identifying promising technologies through competitions and awarding funding to the winners. This $25 million will match funds provided through private funds.

The House passed legislation that provided $49 billion for the NIH. For NIDDK, the bill included an increase of $105 million, which is a 5% increase over Fiscal Year 2021. The bill also included $5 million for KidneyX. Please support the House passed funding level for biomedical research and $25 million for KidneyX when the Senate considers the funding for FY 2022.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]