Special Notice (October 2009): You may or may not have heard about some of the recent health care issues affecting the kidney community. In September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued a proposed bundle affecting individuals who are on dialysis. The nearly 600 page document has been the topic of many deliberations. The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) has been involved in many discussions and its Public Policy Committee has spent time reviewing the document to assess its affect on patient care. More information is available in the proposed payment system section of this Web site.
|
"Why is public policy important to kidney patients? Because OUR LIVES depend on it!"
AAKP believes the informed patient is the best advocate! This section provides tools and information for kidney patients to be effective advocates.
AAKP actively addresses public policy with government officials, including Congress and Federal agencies, such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). At the top of AAKP's agenda is QUALITY of health care-- from early diagnosis of the CKD, to improved dialysis facility quality and better management of co-morbid conditions, to increasing transplant opportunities.
AAKP encourages kidney patients to directly contact their Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress. On this Web site, we provide sample text for a letter or e-mail. Also, as specific public policy issues occur, the AAKP Web site will post further information online.
Sign up for AAKP's electronic newsletter, AAKP Public Policy Briefing, to learn more about public policy and government issues that affect kidney patients. Interested subscribers can join the mailing list by clicking here.
Please join us, encourage fellow patients to join us, and let us speak with one strong, proud PATIENT voice. AAKP believes public policy risks and opportunities have never been greater and we must all step up.
|
