We’re Headed to DC: Fighting for a New Era in Kidney Care

Daniel Holmes
Jul 8
3 min read

This month, The Enlisted Kidney Foundation (EKF) is heading to Capitol Hill alongside our partners at NephCure to rally support for H.R. 1518 – The New Era Act, a bipartisan bill that could redefine how America detects, treats, and talks about kidney disease.

For kidney warriors like myself and countless others, this fight is personal.

The New Era Act isn’t just another healthcare bill, it’s a bold move to shift the system from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for kidney disease to reach its deadliest stages, H.R. 1518 pushes for early detection, expanded research, health equity, and a stronger nephrology workforce.

Let’s break down exactly why this bill matters and why we’re making the trip to Washington to get it passed.

1. It’s Not About “Freebies.” It’s About Early Detection.

Too many people are blindsided by kidney disease. By the time symptoms show, the damage is often irreversible.

H.R. 1518 calls for routine urine tests and genetic screenings, especially for high-risk populations. Some critics fear this means mass testing and wasted dollars—but in reality, early detection saves lives and reduces costs. It’s preventive care, plain and simple—like changing your oil before your engine seizes.

Every veteran, every patient, every caregiver deserves to know there’s a test that could change their future. And that’s what we’re fighting for.

2. It Doesn’t Fund Waste. It Funds What’s Been Ignored.

This bill proposes creating Centers of Excellence for rare kidney disease research, funded through the NIH, not political pet projects. These aren’t just labs, they’re hope factories for patients with diseases like Membranous Nephropathy, FSGS, and others that are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored. It’s catching up on decades of neglect for diseases that destroy lives in silence.

3. It’s Not Just About Kidneys. It’s About Equity.

Kidney disease doesn’t affect all communities equally. Black Americans, Latinos, and underserved rural populations are often diagnosed later and treated less aggressively due to limited access to specialists and testing.

H.R. 1518 aims to change that by expanding access to quality care, regardless of ZIP code. This isn’t special treatment, it’s equal treatment. By leveling the playing field, we reduce emergency costs, hospital stays, and human suffering across the board.

4. It Strengthens the Workforce—It Doesn’t Grow Government.

We’re facing a critical shortage of nephrologists, especially in rural and underserved areas. This bill doesn’t create more bureaucracy, it trains more boots-on-the-ground providers who can catch kidney disease before it becomes a death sentence.

By funding nephrology training and provider education, H.R. 1518 ensures that tomorrow’s doctors are ready to act, before it's too late.

Why This Trip Matters

We’re not just going to Washington to check a box. We’re going because this bill could save lives—and someone needs to speak for the warriors who can’t be there themselves. We have been fighting for this bill for years now and this year is the year.

As a veteran living with rare kidney disease caused by toxic exposure during military service, I know firsthand what delayed diagnosis and lack of research can cost. That’s why EKF is showing up—to advocate, to educate, and to fight for those who’ve been overlooked for too long.

This is about preventing suffering. This is about changing the system. This is about giving kidney patients a fighting chance.

💥 How You Can Help

If you believe in early detection, health equity, and giving kidney patients a shot at a better future—we need your voice. Share your views on this bill with us on our blog page. We are taking all of your submission to Congress with us, to show them that YOUR voice matters.

📞 Call your representative and urge them to support H.R. 1518📢 Share this blog to raise awareness💚 Donate to help us continue this work at EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

Let’s change the game before the clock runs out.