Announcing our 2020 policy priorities, upcoming free screenings, our comments on a proposed rule for organ procurement organizations and information about Rare Disease Week.
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American Kidney Fund Announces Its Policy Priorities for 2020
Advocacy plays a main role in the American Kidney Fund's efforts to fight kidney disease and we have just finalized our public policy goals for the year. This document serves as our road map to guide us in our work with Congress, state law makers and the Administration to take on issues affecting people with and at-risk for chronic kidney disease.
In 2020, AKF is focusing on several priorities including: fighting insurance discrimination against kidney patients, increasing living organ donation, lifting the three-year Medicare cap on immunosuppressive drugs coverage post-transplant, adequate funding for research, and strengthening access to care through Medicaid, Medigap, and the Affordable Care Act.
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Upcoming Free Kidney Disease Screenings
An important part of our prevention and education efforts is going to communities around the country to screen for kidney disease. There are 37 million Americans with kidney disease and most of them don't know they have it. Knowing if you have—or are at risk for—kidney disease is the first step in addressing it. For many people, lifestyle changes can prevent or slow the progression of the stages of chronic kidney disease.
We have four confirmed screenings coming up in the next few weeks. We hope to see you there if you are in the area, and we encourage you to invite your friends and family.
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B'More Healthy Expo
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Baltimore, MD
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3/7/2020
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Richmond Southern Women's Show
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Richmond, VA
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3/20/2020
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Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Presentation
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Washington, DC
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3/21/2020
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Nashville Southern Women's Show
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Nashville, TN
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3/26/2020
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AKF Comments on Proposed Rule for Organ Procurement Organizations
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a proposed rule to update rules for organ procurement organizations (OPO). An OPO is a non-profit organization that is responsible for evaluating and procuring organs for transplants. There are 58 OPOs in the United States and territories, and each is responsible for recovering organs from deceased donors and aiding families whose have decided to donate a loved one's organs. Additionally, OPOs offer public and professional education. OPOs are paid by Medicare and Medicaid, and the proposed rule updates regulations to which OPOs must follow to continue to receive funds. The proposal is part of the Administration's Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health.
The new rule proposes to strengthen oversight of the OPOs to ensure that they are doing everything they can to ensure that those who need a transplant can obtain them quicker and more efficiently. Hence, the rule aims to implement measures to ensure that reports are accurate and that the OPOs are striving to ensure that those who needs organs will be able to get them in the quickest timeframe.
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©2020 American Kidney Fund, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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