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). Representing your dedication, expertise, and commitment to kidney health is an honor and privilege.

As federal policies continue to evolve, ASN remains steadfast in its mission to promote kidney health and always do what is in the best interests of the millions of people living with kidney diseases. ASN is championing the values of excellence, innovation, and community support while leveraging its extensive policy resources, coalition partnerships, and relationships with the legislative and executive (which includes regulatory) branches of the US government (including with members of Congress) to advocate for policies that support people living with kidney diseases, health professionals, and researchers.

ASN is actively implementing several key initiatives to support the kidney community, including:

• Podcast on Executive Orders and ASN's Response - ASN will release a podcast outlining its response to recent Executive Orders and directives, discussing their impact on kidney care and ASN's advocacy efforts.
• Dedicated Webpage with Key Advocacy Resources - ASN is developing a new webpage compiling essential advocacy resources, including letters, statements, and coalition communications. It is very important for me personally to 1) communicate the changes that affect all of us and our patients in real time as well as 2) have a way to channel your understanding, expertise, and engagement in a positive manner for the larger kidney community.
• Joint Action with Like-Minded Coalitions - ASN continues to collaborate with coalition partners to amplify concerns and advocate for policies that advance kidney care, research, and education. For example, ASN most recently signed onto letters initiated by Research!America and the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research Funding.
• 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Priorities - ASN's four policy-focused committees (ASN Health Care Justice Committee, Policy and Advocacy Committee, Quality Committee, and Transplant Policy Committee) are responsible for accomplishing the society's legislative and regulatory goals in 2025. These goals focus on starting earlier to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney diseases; transforming transplant to expand access to the optimal therapy; and accelerating research, discovery, and innovation to advance American kidney health.
• ASN Annual Spring Hill Day on March 19, 2025 - ASN will interact with key legislators and committees on Capitol Hill, calling for reforms and investments to ensure every American has access to optimal kidney care, including engaging with bipartisan, bicameral Congressional champions of kidney health and transplantation.
• Ongoing Policy Communications via ASN Policy Insider - ASN will continue providing regular updates on federal policy developments through ASN Policy Insider, our monthly policy briefing newsletter.

ASN's commitment to excellence in patient care, scientific advancements, and medical education remains unwavering, and the society will continue to advocate for policies that support people living with kidney diseases, health professionals, and researchers. As ASN President, I thank you for your commitment to kidney health and urge you to stay informed, share your insights, and participate in the discussions and initiatives that are shaping the policies that will impact our field.

Again, thank you. If you have any questions about current federal policy or how ASN can support 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.