First-ever PKD-specific federal legislation aims to advance the path toward new treatments and a cure for more than 500,000 Americans
Kansas City, MO (6/5/2026) — The PKD Foundation applauds the introduction of the PKD Cures Act, the first bill ever introduced in Congress specifically focused on polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This landmark bipartisan legislation would strengthen and expand federal research efforts focused on PKD, one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States.
Introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Carol Miller (R-WV), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), and Don Bacon (R-NE) on Thursday, June 4, the legislation directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and intensify PKD research across basic, translational, and clinical science. The bill also establishes a dedicated working group tasked with developing a comprehensive roadmap for the future of PKD research and innovation.
PKD affects more than 500,000 Americans and millions of people more worldwide. The disease causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys, often leading to enlarged kidneys, chronic pain, high blood pressure, and kidney failure. PKD can also affect other organs throughout the body.
“The introduction of the PKD Cures Act is a landmark moment for the PKD community,” said Susan Bushnell, President and CEO of the PKD Foundation. “Polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases and can impact multiple generations within a single family. Yet until now, Congress has never introduced PKD-specific legislation.”
Bushnell emphasized that the legislation represents a critical step toward accelerating scientific progress, which is why the PKD Foundation played a key role in developing and advancing the bill alongside congressional champions, researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates.
Among those advocates is Mike Haggard, a person living with PKD and a member of the PKD Foundation’s Board of Directors, who emphasized what this milestone means for those affected by the disease: “I see every day how far-reaching this disease is, not just for patients, but for families, caregivers, and future generations who are forced to plan their lives around uncertainty. Too often, PKD is a silent burden carried, and it deserves far greater attention and urgency. This legislation brings renewed focus and momentum toward the research and breakthroughs that so many have been waiting for.”
The PKD Foundation encourages members of the PKD community and supporters nationwide to learn more about the legislation and join advocacy efforts to ensure the bill is enacted.
About the PKD Foundation
Since 1982, the PKD Foundation has been dedicated to improving the lives of people impacted by polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The Foundation drives research to find treatments and a cure while providing education, advocacy, and direct support to communities nationwide. It is the largest private funder of PKD research in the U.S.
PKD is a chronic, genetic disorder marked by the uncontrolled growth of cysts in the kidneys and other organs, often leading to kidney failure. An estimated 500,000 people in the U.S. have PKD. There is currently no cure and only one approved treatment to slow disease progression.
The PKD Foundation is the only U.S. organization solely focused on PKD.
