KidneyBuzz.com has been asked by many hundreds of viewers, "How will the new Trump Administration's policies affect the work and progress of the Artificial Implantable Kidney?" Well, the Research Team at the University Of Calfornia San Francisco (UCSF) recently provided a response to this question, and it is cause for concern.
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In response to new policies from the Trump Administration, Lead Researchers at UCSF noted, "There are three areas where The Kidney Project (Artificial Implantable Kidney) may be affected by the new administration's policies:
1) Funding: The severe budget cuts to federal funding for scientific research proposed by the new administration, specifically a 19% reduction in support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are deeply concerning. The Kidney Project was awarded a major federal grant through NIH in 2015, to be distributed over the span of 4 years. The funds not yet issued may be reduced or revoked, which will significantly delay the time required to get implantable bioartificial kidney to patients.
2) Talent: The Kidney Project operates at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and Vanderbilt University, both of which benefit from world-renowned reputations for research and excellence. These reputations aid The Kidney Project by attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world to work and collaborate with our team. Limitations on immigration policies could negatively affect The Kidney Project by reducing collaboration opportunities that would otherwise flourish.
3) Healthcare: While the implantable bioartificial kidney is not yet complete, we are already thinking ahead as to how healthcare systems will distribute the device to patients. As Americans’ healthcare options may change under the new administration, there is the risk that the climate for procurement and reimbursement becomes challenging and limits the availability of the implantable bioartificial kidney to individuals in need.
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This should be a bipartisan issue since thousands of Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients' lives hang in the balance. We as a community must continue to stand together to ensure that the Artificial Implantable Kidney Researchers have the resources necessary to develop this life-saving device and deliver it to market as soon as possible, without interruption. Join in by signing and sharing the below petition requesting that the Trump Administration take a special interest in providing the Artificial Implantable Kidney with the funding and support necessary for success:
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