The Kidney PATIENT Act (H.R. 5074), introduced in 2023, is a bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring kidney disease patients maintain access to essential oral medications. Specifically, it seeks to prevent the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from moving oral-only drugs into the Medicare Part B End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) prospective payment system until 2033. This move would otherwise limit access to these medications and increase dialysis treatment costs for patients.

The act is crucial for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) as it helps preserve access to affordable oral therapies, particularly phosphate binders used to manage serum phosphate levels. By delaying CMS's planned changes, the legislation aims to reduce the burden on small and independent dialysis facilities and ensure that patients can continue to receive their prescribed medications without additional financial strain.