Expanding access, supporting research and sustaining medicare is the future of kidney care
Published by The Hill Congress Blog Written by Rep. Tom Marino April 8, 2016 All too often, national health crises present confounding dilemmas with no clear, obtainable solutions. When faced with terrible diseases that cannot be cured, frightening epidemics that reach our shores, or illnesses that defy previously successful treatments, healthcare providers and policymakers suffer…
Insurers want to limit American Kidney Fund charitable assistance to patients
Published by Nephrology News & Issues March 30, 2016 Insurance carriers in at least 34 states have begun to reject insurance premium payments from the American Kidney Fund (AKF) and many other health nonprofits on behalf of enrollees with chronic diseases, according to patient advocacy groups. AKF and others in the kidney community are asking…
Congress: Act now to improve access, care for individuals with kidney failure
Published by The Hill Congress Blog February 29, 2016 In just a few short decades, our ability to treat patients with once-terminal conditions has advanced dramatically. Thirty years in practice as a nephrologist have given me a front-row seat to remarkable changes and positive advances for individuals with multiple complex health conditions, including improved patient…
Kidney transplant, dialysis patients are surviving longer
Published by Microcap Observer January 19, 2016 According to new research, dialysis and kidney transplant patients are surviving longer, however rates of end-stage kidney disease continue to rise. The annual data report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) reveals both positive and negative trends in kidney disease in the U.S. The report is…
Study: Kidney transplant, dialysis patients surviving longer
Published by UPI January 18, 2016 Dialysis and kidney transplant patients are surviving longer, however rates of end-stage kidney disease continue to increase, according to new research. The United States Renal Data System and University of Michigan found in a new study that although treatment of kidney disease patients has improved in the last 20 years…
Dr. Franklin Maddux, Chief Medical Officer of Fresenius Medical Care North America, Takes Helm As New Chair of Kidney Care Partners
Underscores Goals of Improving Quality, Value, Choice, and Patient Access to Coordinated Care Washington, DC (Monday, January 3, 2016)—Kidney Care Partners (KCP) formally announced today Dr. Franklin Maddux’s two-year tenure as the newly elected Chair of KCP – the nation’s leading kidney care coalition composed of patients, caregivers, providers, researchers and manufacturers – effective January…
Bill would aid kidney dialysis patients: Letter
Published by the Clarion-Ledger January 4, 2016 Although kidney failure is a leading cause of death in the United States, many Americans know little about this disease. As a nation, there is much we can do to improve the quality of life for these patients by developing and utilizing new technologies, expanding patient choice and…
Fresenius Medical Care North America CMO to head Kidney Care Partners
Published by Nephrology News & Issues January 4, 2016 Kidney Care Partners has named Franklin Maddux, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president for clinical and scientific affairs of Fresenius Medical Care North America, as its new chair. Kidney Care Partners is a coalition of patient advocates, clinicians, care professionals, dialysis providers, researchers and manufacturers. “As…
Kidney Care Partners Encouraged by House and Senate Interest in Care Coordination for Patients with Kidney Failure
Washington, DC — As Congress continues to work with the kidney community to refine coordinated care models for patients with kidney failure — or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — Kidney Care Partners (KCP) underscored its belief that improved care coordination will lead to improved patient outcomes. “We believe it is important for policymakers to examine novel…
National Quality Forum endorses ultrafiltration measure for dialysis patients
The National Quality Forum has endorsed a new clinical measure focused on improving fluid management for dialysis patients. The measure focuses on safe and adequate fluid removal, and was developed by the Kidney Care Quality Alliance (KCQA), a group founded by Kidney Care Partners (KCP). KCP said it made fluid management a priority because it…