The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) is a professional nursing organization of approximately 9,000 registered nurses practicing in nephrology, transplantation, and related therapies. ANNA promotes excellence in and appreciation of nephrology nursing so we can make a
positive difference for people with kidney disease.
Every year, a significant number of United States citizens are diagnosed with kidney disease. More than 20 million Americans
have kidney disease and more than 600,000 have kidney failure, known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). For those suffering from kidney disease and ESRD, treatment options are limited to hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or transplantation. Transplantation is considered the more effective and preferred treatment course at a cost of $32,000 per patient per year, in comparison to $87,000 per patient per year for hemodialysis. Dialysis is a significant burden on taxpayers, as nearly all patients with kidney failure are Medicare beneficiaries. Patients with ESRD account for
nearly 7% of Medicare costs, but make up less than 1% of Medicare patients, costing taxpayers nearly $35 billion annually. According to the American Society of Transplantation, in 2014 more than 101,000 Americans were on the transplant waiting list, a 10% increase from 2010. Unfortunately, there has been a considerable
decline in kidney donations. Living organ donors constitute nearly a third of transplants, and more than 10% of living organ donors experience difficulty with insurance after their procedures because of discriminatory practices. Giving the gift of life should be made easier, not more difficult. The Living Donor Protection Act of 2016 (H.R. 4616/S. 2584) ensures that those healthy and fortunate enough to give the gift of a kidney, or other organ, are not discriminated against by their insurance companies or place of work. The legislation seeks to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums of life,
disability, and long -term care plans. The bill also clarifies
that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition, and that donors can use the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for time to recover after surgery. Finally, the bill updates education materials on the benefits of live donor transplantation and the implications of live organ donation.
There is broad group of national stakeholders that support this legislation, including patient groups, advocacy organizations, and health professional provider associations and societies. Supporters of the legislation are committed to promoting organ donation and
ensuring that the rights of living donors are protected. Recommendation : ANNA urges Members of Congress to cosponsor the Living Donor Protection Act of 2016 (H.R. 4616/S. 2584).
The bill will protect living organ donors from increases in insurance premiums and will ensure they are provided job security, through FMLA, while taking time to recover.
