Last week, The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on “Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment”. Witnesses included Ashli Littleton, a 36-year-old Medicare beneficiary with ESRD; Suzanne Watnick, MD FASN, a nephrologist and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Washington; Robert Taylor, MD, a nephrologist and Chief Medical Officer of Dialysis Clinic, Inc.; and John Butler, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia since 2013.
During the hearing, the witnesses and Members of Congress highlighted many of the struggles ESRD patients face and the need for more innovation and better access to home dialysis and transplantation. Several Members of Congress, including the Chairman of Ways and Means Jason Smith (R-MO), voiced support for two key legislative priorities for DPC and our advocates including H.R. 2199/S. 1173 – The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act and H.R. 6214/S. 2730 – The Kidney Care Access Protection Act (KCAPA).
DPC applauds the Subcommittee, witnesses, and Members of the Congress for holding this hearing and elevating the patient perspective and the need to address many barriers to care and improve innovation.
Take action on H.R. 2199/S. 1173 – The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act here.
Take action on H.R. 6214/S. 2730 – The Kidney Care Access Protection Act (KCAPA) here.
