As 2024 comes to a close, we want to reflect on a year filled with meaningful progress, impactful advocacy, and strong community engagement. From legislative wins to important awareness campaigns to Council Conversations, this year reinforced the power of collective action in improving the lives of those impacted by kidney disease.
Connecting Through Council Conversations
This year’s Council Conversations tackled critical topics, fostering dialogue among patients, providers, policymakers, and advocates:
Dialysis + Transportation: We explored the transportation barriers faced by dialysis patients and discussed potential solutions, like Medicaid program enhancements and innovative pilot programs with transportation companies.
The Transplant Journey: This event highlighted the complexities of kidney transplantation, including navigating the process, addressing inequities, and embracing innovations that offer hope for patients on waiting lists. Panelists emphasized the need for strong support systems and self-advocacy.
Home Dialysis: Experts discussed the benefits of home dialysis, including flexibility and improved quality of life, while acknowledging the barriers many patients face, such as lack of training resources and caregiver support. The conversation underscored the importance of expanding access through advocacy and innovation.
Each conversation reflected our commitment to fostering understanding and inspiring action within the kidney community.
Legislative Advocacy
This year, we continued our advocacy efforts in both Olympia and Salem, with notable successes in Washington:
Legislative Wins: New laws supporting licensure compacts for social workers and physician assistants (SHB 1939, HB 1917) aim to bolster the kidney care workforce. Additionally, ESHB 1957 ensures coverage for evidence-based preventive healthcare without cost-sharing, and SSB 5936 created a palliative care workgroup to design a palliative care benefit and payment model.
Continued Efforts: While SB 5776, which would cap emergency insulin costs, didn't pass, we're committed to continued advocacy on this critical issue in 2025 if the legislation is reintroduced.
In Oregon, progress was mixed. Priority bills to streamline licensing (HB 4071) and ensure continuous glucose monitor coverage (HB 4011) did not advance, but we remain hopeful for 2025. Despite setbacks, we continue to advocate for equity and access to life-sustaining resources across both states.
A key highlight of 2024 was raising awareness about kidney disease through official state proclamations:
March 2024: Both Oregon and Washington governors issued proclamations declaring March as Kidney Month, helping to raise awareness and promote education about kidney health.
September 2024: Both Oregon and Washington governors also proclaimed September as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month, drawing attention to this often-overlooked condition.
These proclamations helped drive conversations about kidney health and the resources available to those affected.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we prepare for the year ahead, we remain committed to amplifying the voices of the kidney community, strengthening relationships with policymakers, and expanding opportunities for engagement. With another round of legislative sessions on the horizon and continued focus on awareness and education, we are ready to build on the successes of 2024.
Here’s to another year of impactful advocacy and community action!
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