Search Here

Some clinics were reportedly not able to administer the necessary treatment to their patients just because they failed to donate to the American Kidney Fund. This has apparently been the situation as of late, despite a federal government agreement that states funding should be distributed based on a patient's financial need. 

The agreement also bans the selection of recipients based on the clinic where it is availing of its services. 

A report on the New York Times has revealed instances wherein there was a strong pushback on workers at clinics who did not contribute money to the fund. The charity organization itself released guidelines that aid will not be provided to clinics or companies who have not given funds to the American Kidney Fund. 

Former Arkansas-based social worker Elaine Brecher has seen many patients needing dialysis and other treatments denied of such services by the American Kidney Fund. Some of them were not able to apply to other charities as they believed that their clinics could provide the services for them. Without the assistance, their hospital and doctor's bills would not be paid for. 

The American Kidney Fund was born out of a deal struck between the government and dialysis companies 20 years ago. Included in the agreement is that there would be no bias on patient applications, regardless of whether their clinic has donated to the organization or not. 

Besides this issue, the American Kidney Fund has also faced another scandal when United Healthcare raised complaints against the American Renal Associates. Investigations have found the company to be indirectly paying the charity organization, which then resulted in selected patients who were awarded coverage by the government. These patients would then use payments from third-party companies to buy insurance. 

A representative from the American Kidney Fund has announced that they have already updated their guidelines.