Summary of Bill HR 7506
Bill 117 hr 7506, also known as the New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of improving the prevention and treatment of end-stage kidney disease. The bill focuses on several key areas related to kidney health, including increasing access to preventive care, promoting early detection of kidney disease, and expanding treatment options for those with end-stage kidney disease.
One of the main provisions of the bill is the establishment of a national kidney disease registry, which would collect data on the prevalence and treatment of kidney disease in the United States. This registry would help researchers and healthcare providers better understand the factors contributing to kidney disease and develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
The bill also includes provisions to increase funding for research into kidney disease, as well as initiatives to improve education and awareness about the importance of kidney health. Additionally, the bill aims to expand access to kidney transplants and other life-saving treatments for those with end-stage kidney disease.
Overall, the New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act seeks to address the growing public health crisis of kidney disease in the United States by improving prevention, detection, and treatment options for those at risk. By focusing on early intervention and expanding access to care, the bill aims to reduce the burden of kidney disease on individuals, families, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Congressional Summary of HR 7506
New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act
This bill addresses rare kidney diseases through research, training for health professionals, and other means. It also modifies requirements for Medicare drug plan formularies that include drugs for rare diseases or conditions.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must
- convene a conference focused on diagnosis and treatment of rare kidney diseases;
- study risk factors, access to care (including to genetic and genomic testing), and other matters related to rare kidney diseases; and
- establish grants for supporting kidney disease education and referrals in communities of color.
HHS may award grants to educate and train health professionals about kidney disease and nephrology. Additionally, health professional schools that receive certain HHS funding for educating underrepresented minority individuals must support postgraduate nephrology training.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) must report on diversity in its kidney disease research. The NIH may also (1) support research on rare kidney diseases that, among other requirements, includes persons of color in study populations; and (2) establish regional centers of excellence for rare kidney diseases.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must evaluate methods for (1) treating rare kidney diseases, with a focus on delaying dialysis and transplant; and (2) raising awareness about rare kidney diseases, including in communities of color.
Furthermore, if a Medicare drug plan formulary includes a drug to treat a rare disease or condition, at least two members of the committee that develops or reviews the formulary must have expertise in the field of medicine related to that drug.