Advocacy & Public Policy

Kidney Health Advocacy

A Message From ASN President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN

Dear Colleague:

Thank you for being a member of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN). As we navigate an evolving health care landscape, ASN remains committed to advocating for policies that improve health; support nephrologists, scientists, and other health professionals; generate knowledge; and strengthen the workforce.

Earlier this year, I published an editorial in ASN Kidney News, "Be a Part of the Change," highlighting exciting developments in nephrology and opportunities to drive meaningful change in kidney health. In sharing my perspective, I noted my deep appreciation and extreme pride for having trained and worked in three countries on three continents. As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) in the United States, I follow in a long line of ASN Presidents who trained abroad.

ASN is actively advocating for policies that support our IMG colleagues who represent one in four US physicians, more than 50% of the nephrologists in the United States, and two-thirds of nephrology fellows. These medical professionals play a critical role in improving the lives of the more than 37 million Americans living with kidney diseases—treating patients, conducting research, and educating the next generation of health professionals. Evolving policies must not create unnecessary barriers for nephrologists, scientists, and other health professionals who are essential to kidney health in this country.

ASN is engaged in discussions on policies affecting IMGs and the broader nephrology workforce. Last week, the society issued an alert on immigration issues and participated in a webinar, "Navigating Physician Immigration in a Shifting Political Climate," sponsored by the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine. Additionally, ASN is partnering with the Migration Policy Institute to explore the potential impact of evolving immigration policies on IMGs across every career stage for nephrology professionals.

I also wanted to share with you ASN's long-standing efforts to emphasize the importance of kidney health to the federal government, including the various agencies that comprise the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For example, ASN is assessing the implications of (and determining how best to respond to) last week's announcement about "a dramatic restructuring" at HHS. This restructuring is expected to result in cutting the agency's workforce by approximately 10,000 full-time employees.

ASN has already initiated discussions with the newly confirmed Director of the National Institutes of Health and Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of note, ASN and FDA have partnered since 2012 to "catalyze innovation and the development of safe and effective patient-centered therapies for people living with kidney diseases" through the Kidney Health Initiative.

When the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is confirmed, ASN will continue working to ensure the agency remains committed to protecting Americans with kidney diseases in its role as the "leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public's health." ASN has partnered with CDC since 2016 to eliminate preventable infections in dialysis facilities through the Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety initiative.

Again, thank you. ASN's greatest strength is its members, and it is important for me to write to you describing what the society is doing. If you have any questions about this letter, ASN's policy efforts, or how the society can help you, please contact ASN at policy@asn-online.org.

Sincerely,

Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN
President

Advocating for Transformative Change

ASN—both individually and as a member of healthcare, medical, and scientific coalitions—routinely engages Congress and the Trump Administration, advocating for policies to create transformative changes in kidney health. ASN relies on its Health Care Justice Committee, Policy and Advocacy Committee, Quality Committee, and Transplant Policy Committee when formulating, prioritizing, and accomplishing annual policy priorities. A summary of ASN's most recent advocacy efforts follows—including for fiscal year (FY) 2025 kidney health research—in reverse chronological order.

Additional Advocacy Resources

February 2025: How Trump's Medical Research Cuts Would Hit Colleges and Hospitals in Every State (New York Times).

Council on Governmental Relations Facilities and Administrative Cost Reimbursement Advocacy Materials.

Association of American Medical Colleges Advocacy Resources on Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs:

• A fact sheet outlining key messages and a frequently asked questions overview.
• A comparison of foundations' support for F&A to government support.
• An infographic illustrating what types of expenses are and are not supported by F&A reimbursement.

January 2025: Research!America releases results of national survey showing Americans want President and Congress to assign higher priority to medical progress.