What is public policy?
Government actions that affect the general population are considered public policy. These policies can come from local, state or federal government. In addition to laws, public policies can include government-created public programs, services and payments that affect the lives of citizens.
In the United States there are three branches of government: the legislative, which makes the laws; executive, which enforces laws; and judicial, which interprets laws. The members of these three branches make and implement America’s public policies.
America's Kidney Care Challenge
Each year, over 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and require dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to survive. Today, there are more than 400,000 patients in the United States living with kidney failure. That number is expected to double in the next decade due to a dramatic rise in diabetes — the number one cause of kidney disease — as well as high blood pressure.
At the same time, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has become a critical problem in America. It is estimated that 20 million Americans today — one in nine adults — suffer from kidney disease and millions more are at increased risk.
Meanwhile, more than 60,000 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States. Because transplantation options are severely limited, most patients depend on dialysis to survive. Why is public policy important? Because public policy impacts all of our lives, every day, it is important that we have an awareness of, and a say in, the issues that affect us most significantly. Kidney Care Connections provides information about public policy that affects those with kidney disease. In addition, we provide suggestions about how to influence public policy to the advantage of those with kidney disease.
America's Response
Before the 1970s, many Americans with kidney failure did not receive treatment and died. Congress took action in 1972 to extend Medicare coverage for dialysis and kidney transplantation.This change has enabled over one million Americans to receive the life-saving treatment they need.
Congress and the Administration remain very active in this important area of health policy. For example, it is widely recognized that Medicare coverage of dialysis does not receive an annual update to keep up with costs. As a result, kidney care reimbursement falls below the cost of treating kidney patients. Legislation that would achieve Medicare modernization for kidney care s currently pending before Congress.
The Kidney Care Quality and Education Act (H.R. 1193 and S.691) would establish a permanent update and expand outreach to millions of at-risk Americans. With the number of patients projected to rise sharply in the future, these reforms are essential to ensuring that Medicare is modernized and he needs of America’s kidney care patients are met.
DaVita believes modernizing the Medicare program’s coverage of kidney care will ensure that the most effective and efficient services will be available to the patients who need them.That’s why we warmly thank the many lawmakers who support this important legislation.
What can you do to affect public policy?
Naturally, you want a say in the public policy issues that affect you most profoundly. Kidney Care Connections provides you with ways to contact the lawmakers who creast public polilcy and execute laws, services, programs and funding that directly affects kidney care in America.
Besides covering kidney-related public polilcy issues and providing names of legislators, Kidney Care Connections supplies sample letters you can send to your representatives to familiarize them with the issues that affect people with kidney disease.
