Press ReleaseNeutral2026-04-29

ICYMI: Buchanan Chairs Hearing on Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment

HealthcareTaxesDefenseTradeInfrastructure

Context

This press release from Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "ICYMI: Buchanan Chairs Hearing on Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment". It focuses on healthcare and touches on taxes, defense.

Full Text

ICYMI: Buchanan Chairs Hearing on Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment

"We've Got to Find a Way to Help People, Educate People ... To Make Better Choices Themselves." Discusses Rise of Chronic Kidney Disease, Need for Prevention and Innovative Treatments WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee , chaired a hearing examining ways to improve kidney health through better prevention and innovative treatment options for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). During the hearing, Buchanan emphasized the growing health and financial burden of kidney disease in the United States and the importance of preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which account for the majority of new kidney failure cases. Witnesses included Ashli Littleton, home dialysis patient; Dr. Suzanne Watnick, Health Policy Scholar at the American Society of Nephrology; Dr. Robert Taylor, Chief Medical Officer at DCI; and John P. Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia Therapeutics. Click here to watch Congressman Buchanan's remarks. Here's what Buchanan said about improving kidney health in America: On hearing from patients living with kidney disease Buchanan: "Before I begin with my question, I want to thank Ms. Littleton for coming here today and having the courage to let us understand your story better. ... This is critical to a large community, including yourself . T hank you for your leadership on this issue . I mean that personally." On preventing chronic diseases that lead to kidney failure Buchanan: "Dr. Watnick, I was surprised to learn that many cases of CKD and ESRD are preventable chronic diseases. We keep spending more on health care, yet you could make the argument that we're getting sicker as a nation . We must reduce the cost and burden of chronic diseases in the United States. What can Congress do to support better kidney health care through chronic disease management?" Dr. Watnick: "There's a lot we can do ... we need to start upstream . We want people never to walk through those dialysis treatment doors . So how can we make sure, first of all, that we even know people have kidney disease? " We know that nine out of ten people with kidney disease aren't aware that they have it . Anything we can do to ensure that upstream care is recognized is a benefit. The second thing is that we have new drugs ... that slow down kidney disease and prevent end-stage kidney disease . ... Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were also able to provide research funding to specifically target kidney diseases? ... If we can ensure that we're slowing kidney disease by providing therapies through targeted research with appropriate funding, we can make sure patients are better treated to slow the progression of their disease." On moving kidney care toward value-based payment models Buchanan: "Dr. Taylor, I'm very interested in value-based care and how that can help reduce health care costs. We must move away from fee-for-service and look more toward paying for outcomes . I know there have been efforts to transition kidney care to value-based care, so I'd like to get your thoughts about moving in that direction." Dr. Taylor: "First of all, it goes back to what Dr. Watnick was saying. With appropriate care, many patients don't need to end up on dialysis . Unfortunately, over time, payment and policy have primarily been focused on dialysis. As a nephrologist, one of the real benefits of what I do is my ability to walk with a patient as they go through the various stages of chronic kidney disease. We have participated in the CMMI models, including ESCO, which was the first demonstration model, and currently the CKCC model. We strongly support how policy and resources have been directed toward caring for patients with stage four and stage five kidney disease . In the demonstration models, there have also been incentives placed on transplantation, and there have been benefits that provide better care for patients at the end of life. " From a value-based perspective, DCI strongly supports these initiatives . It doesn't look at the patient as someone who simply ends up on dialysis, it helps care for them along the entire journey ." On prevention, nutrition and empowering patients to improve health outcomes Buchanan : "We're spending $5 trillion or more on health care . It's 20 percent of the economy. I'm very big on prevention. I happened to have someone give me a couple of books to read, and one book had an equation in it. At the top of the equation was the quality of the nutrition of the food . The bottom of the equation was calories. What's the most nutritional food , when you go up to the buffet, with the fewest calories, and you eat all you want. "When you look at it, about 20 percent of kids are obese today ... a lot of 30 and 20-year-olds can't qualify for the military ... 50 percent of adults are obese . ... You've got to be the CEO of you

View original source →

ICYMI: Buchanan Chairs Hearing on Improving Kidney Health Through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment "We've Got to Find a Way to Help People, Educate People ... To Make Better Choices Themselves." Discusses Rise of Chronic Kidney Disease, Need for Prevention and Innovative Treatments WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee , chaired a hearing examining ways to improve kidney health through better prevention and innovative treatment options for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). During the hearing, Buchanan emphasized the growing health and financial burden of kidney disease in the United States and the importance of preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which account for the majority of new kidney failure cases. Witnesses included Ashli Littleton, home dialysis patient; Dr. Suzanne Watnick, Health Policy Scholar at the American Society of Nephrology; Dr. Robert Taylor, Chief Medical Officer at DCI; and John P. Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia Therapeutics. Click here to watch Congressman Buchanan's remarks. Here's what Buchanan said about improving kidney health in America: On hearing from patients living with kidney disease Buchanan: "Before I begin with my question, I want to thank Ms. Littleton for coming here today and having the courage to let us understand your story better. ... This is critical to a large community, including yourself . T hank you for your leadership on this issue . I mean that personally." On preventing chronic diseases that lead to kidney failure Buchanan: "Dr. Watnick, I was surprised to learn that many cases of CKD and ESRD are preventable chronic diseases. We keep spending more on health care, yet you could make the argument that we're getting sicker as a nation . We must reduce the cost and burden of chronic diseases in the United States. What can Congress do to support better kidney health care through chronic disease management?" Dr. Watnick: "There's a lot we can do ... we need to start upstream . We want people never to walk through those dialysis treatment doors . So how can we make sure, first of all, that we even know people have kidney disease? " We know that nine out of ten people with kidney disease aren't aware that they have it . Anything we can do to ensure that upstream care is recognized is a benefit. The second thing is that we have new drugs ... that slow down kidney disease and prevent end-stage kidney disease . ... Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were also able to provide research funding to specifically target kidney diseases? ... If we can ensure that we're slowing kidney disease by providing therapies through targeted research with appropriate funding, we can make sure patients are better treated to slow the progression of their disease." On moving kidney care toward value-based payment models Buchanan: "Dr. Taylor, I'm very interested in value-based care and how that can help reduce health care costs. We must move away from fee-for-service and look more toward paying for outcomes . I know there have been efforts to transition kidney care to value-based care, so I'd like to get your thoughts about moving in that direction." Dr. Taylor: "First of all, it goes back to what Dr. Watnick was saying. With appropriate care, many patients don't need to end up on dialysis . Unfortunately, over time, payment and policy have primarily been focused on dialysis. As a nephrologist, one of the real benefits of what I do is my ability to walk with a patient as they go through the various stages of chronic kidney disease. We have participated in the CMMI models, including ESCO, which was the first demonstration model, and currently the CKCC model. We strongly support how policy and resources have been directed toward caring for patients with stage four and stage five kidney disease . In the demonstration models, there have also been incentives placed on transplantation, and there have been benefits that provide better care for patients at the end of life. " From a value-based perspective, DCI strongly supports these initiatives . It doesn't look at the patient as someone who simply ends up on dialysis, it helps care for them along the entire journey ." On prevention, nutrition and empowering patients to improve health outcomes Buchanan : "We're spending $5 trillion or more on health care . It's 20 percent of the economy. I'm very big on prevention. I happened to have someone give me a couple of books to read, and one book had an equation in it. At the top of the equation was the quality of the nutrition of the food . The bottom of the equation was calories. What's the most nutritional food , when you go up to the buffet, with the fewest calories, and you eat all you want. "When you look at it, about 20 percent of kids are obese today ... a lot of 30 and 20-year-olds can't qualify for the military ... 50 percent of adults are obese . ... You've got to be the CEO of you