The Trump administration has introduced the Kidney Care National Plan, aiming to address structural deficiencies in kidney care that contribute to higher costs and lower quality, according to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department. This plan seeks to increase competition in treatment markets that are primarily dominated by DaVita Inc. and Fresenius Medical Care, which hold about 74% of the market.
A key aspect of the initiative is to reform the kidney transplant system. Approximately 90,000 Americans are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, often waiting three to five years for a donor kidney. The HHS has announced plans to implement a National Transplant Expansion Strategy, building upon a 2019 executive order issued during President Trump’s first term. This strategy is designed to make living donation easier and more accessible, thereby enabling more patients to receive needed transplants.
The plan also emphasizes preventive care by focusing on detecting kidney disease earlier, intervening sooner, and advancing treatments aimed at slowing or halting the progression of the disease. Kidney disease is a prevalent chronic illness in the United States, affecting an estimated 37 million American adults. Unfortunately, many individuals remain unaware of their condition until damage has already occurred.
The HHS has suggested that systemic failures in kidney care are partly due to government overreach. A primary obstacle to improving prevention efforts is the federal government’s role in funding care for end-stage renal disease. The plan recommends that ‘government should do less, focusing its efforts on promoting accountability, competition, and innovation.’ It suggests that a federal role is justified only when a specific market failure prevents private entities from addressing public needs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added a third U.S. measles death to its tracker as total cases in 2026 exceed 4,400. The HHS notified Reuters of this update following a report from the National Center for Health Statistics identifying a measles-related death.
In contrast, other news includes a National Guard member being shot while breaking up a fight in Southeast Washington, according to police reports. Additionally, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) has publicly opposed a potential merger between Sysco and Restaurant Depot, citing concerns about increased restaurant prices.
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