In April, the National Kidney Foundation announced the launch of its Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Primary Care Initiative aimed at overcoming barriers to CKD testing, detection and management. One important component of early detection is identifying those with the highest risk of developing CKD, and addressing their risk factors properly. The leading cause of CKD is diabetes, which in many cases can be prevented. Over 24 million Americans currently live with Type 2 diabetes, and millions more are at risk. While preventing diabetes won’t stop all CKD, it will reduce the risk for millions of Americans.
The National Kidney Foundation is proud to advocate for passage of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act (H.R. 962, S.452). This legislation will expand access to the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) among seniors covered by Medicare. Run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National DPP has reduced the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 58%, in participants who are currently affected by prediabetes. Expansion of this program means more seniors can cut their risk of diabetes in half and avoid the complications of diabetes, including kidney failure and death. In addition, new research shows that the legislation can reduce federal spending by $1.3 billion over 10 years and savings generated by prevention of diabetes and its complications will continue to grow beyond the initial 10 years.
Help us save lives, kidneys and money – tell your Members of Congress to ensure all seniors with Medicare have access to this proven prevention program!
Advocacy in Action 
This is close to my family. My granddaughter Katie who is twelve has kidney severe disease. No diabetes though This needs to be a paid for checkup. You can not live without your kidney’s.
In 24 years there has been little advancement in C.A.P.D., Continual Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis. You still have to use around 4 bags of solution a day, you can’t submerge in water or go swimming, you are tired everyday, it’s depressing, your self cautious, your belly looks pregnant, you have backaches, joint pain, circulation problems, gull bladder problems, foot pain, from carrying the weight of two liters of dialysate every day 24 hours a day. That doesn’t even include the 12 medications as well.
With the Cadaver Kidney Transplant I was on triple therapy steroids, Imuran, Prednisone, and Cyclosporine. Which after 7 years I went from 110 pounds to 230 pounds and I’m only 4’9′ inches tall. I went from a normal person to one that could barely walk, sleep apnea,vision damage, never damage, severe joint pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, tinnitus, back problems, arthritis, and now I cannot sleep through the night. I have to move continually because my blood circulation stops my hands pool with blood and shoots pain and pain is every where and never stops.