Wilson Introduces Legislation to Combat End Stage Renal Disease
Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), introduced the PREVENT ESRD Act. The Legislation establishes a program to encourage health plans to invest in earlier detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease before patients develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Under the bill, participating health plans would improve access to kidney screenings, medications, nutrition services, care coordination, and other preventive treatments while reducing or eliminating patient cost-sharing for key kidney care services. These investments should successfully slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce Medicare spending, while saving lives.
The legislation has been endorsed by the American Kidney Fund (AKF), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alliance for Aging Research, Amputee Coalition, American Society of Nephrology, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC), Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Global Coalition on Aging, IgA Nephropathy Foundation, League of United Latin American Citizens, The Mended Hearts, Inc., National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), National Alliance of Purchaser Coalitions, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), NCBA Inc., The National Consumer League (NCL), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), NephCure, Renal Physicians Association (RPA). The joint endorsement letter can be read here.
“Kidney disease affects millions of Americans, yet far too many are not diagnosed until it is too late. The PREVENT ESRD Act takes a commonsense approach by encouraging earlier screening, expanding access to proven treatments, and rewarding better outcomes that improve patients' lives while reducing costs for taxpayers. I am grateful to work to help Americans stay healthier and strengthen the future of healthcare. I dedicate this fight to the late Karen Metz, wife of my Chief of Staff Craig Metz, who courageously battled kidney disease,” said Rep. Wilson.
“Research shows early intervention in kidney care could save Medicare more than $9 billion and employers over $35 billion annually. But beyond the significant economic savings, the human burden of kidney disease could be reduced if we pass legislation that could meaningfully change the trajectory of kidney disease. The American Kidney Fund thanks U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson for introducing the “Prevent ESRD Act” and leading bipartisan efforts to advance the fight against kidney disease. We urge Congress to support the legislation on behalf of 37 million Americans with kidney disease, and millions more at risk,” said LaVarne Burton, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Kidney Fund.
The National Kidney Foundation applauds this legislation's innovative approach to preventing the progression to kidney failure. Too many Americans are diagnosed too late, when treatment options become more limited and costs to patients, families, employers, and the healthcare system increase dramatically. By encouraging investment in early detection, education, and proven treatments, this has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of Americans affected by CKD while reducing unnecessary healthcare spending. We look forward to working with Congress and stakeholders to advance policies that help more people maintain their kidney health and avoid kidney failure," said Dr. Jesse Roach, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, National Kidney Foundation.
“Large employers see firsthand the human and financial toll of chronic kidney disease on workers, families, and the health care system. A voluntary kidney care shared savings demonstration is exactly the kind of commonsense, bipartisan solution we need—one that rewards earlier screening, better care coordination, and access to effective treatments before patients progress to kidney failure. By aligning incentives for health plans, employers, providers, and Medicare, this model can help delay or prevent ESRD, improve quality of life for millions of Americans, and generate meaningful savings for taxpayers and employer-sponsored health plans alike,” said Melissa Barlett, Senior Vice President, Health Policy, ERISA Industry Committee.
"Too many Americans never get the chance to age healthily because kidney disease goes undetected until it's too late. Programs that increase earlier screening and treatment, when progression can still be slowed or stopped, will go a long way in supporting patients' quality of life, helping employers retain experienced workers longer, and lowering health system costs. Keeping more people out of dialysis means more people reaching their later years with their health and independence intact," said Melissa Gong Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Coalition on Aging.
"For people living with Spina Bifida, protecting kidney health is essential to preserving independence, preventing life-threatening complications, and improving quality of life across the lifespan. Kidney disease often develops silently in our community due to neurogenic bladder, making early screening, coordinated care, and timely intervention critical. The Spina Bifida Association strongly supports innovative approaches that encourage prevention, reward high-quality care, and expand access to evidence-based treatments before kidney failure occurs. By investing in earlier detection and better care coordination, this demonstration has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of Americans while reducing the human and financial costs of kidney disease. We applaud this bipartisan effort to prioritize prevention and protect kidney health," said Sara Struwe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Spina Bifida Association.
"The Academy strongly supports this innovative demonstration project to advance kidney care and prevent progression to end-stage renal disease. Chronic kidney disease remains a silent and costly crisis, often going undiagnosed until it is too late, despite clear evidence that early screening, nutrition intervention, and coordinated care can significantly improve outcomes. By aligning incentives to prioritize prevention and expanding access to comprehensive, patient-centered services, this model represents a critical step toward transforming kidney care, improving quality of life for millions, and reducing avoidable costs to employers and the Medicare program. We urge policymakers to move forward with this bipartisan opportunity to invest in prevention and deliver better, more equitable care,” said the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2025-2026 President Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN CDN, FAND.
“NANASP commends Rep. Wilson on the introduction of his novel bill which has prevention as its main focus. The approach of creating a kidney care shared savings demonstration is a win-win for health care plans who succeed in delaying and preventing ESRD and the other winner of course is the patient. Early diagnosis of kidney disease is vital to avoiding later more costly treatments. We urge passage of this bill," said Bob Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services (NANASP).
"IgA nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease that often affects people in the prime of their lives, yet many patients are not diagnosed until significant kidney damage has already occurred. Earlier identification, better care coordination, and access to effective treatments are essential to slowing disease progression and helping patients avoid kidney failure. The Prevent ESRD Act recognizes the importance of prevention by creating incentives to intervene earlier in the disease continuum. The IgA Nephropathy Foundation is proud to support this effort and thanks Rep. Joe Wilson for his leadership on behalf of patients with kidney disease,” - Bonnie Schneider, Executive Director, IgA Nephropathy Foundation.
A full copy of H.R. 9891 is available here.
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