Purpose of the California Kidney Care Alliance

The primary purpose of the CKCA is to create within the State of California, a central organization to coordinate unified action, respond to our needs and interests, and act as a watchdog over the dialysis facility community interests.

The Steering Committee, having discussed the need to organize, reasons why to organize, and the interest to organize, developed and documented the following Seven Statements of Purpose:

1. "To establish a statewide organization for dialysis providers."
This Statement of Purpose was listed first in that it speaks directly to the primary reason to form the CKCA — to create a central statewide membership organization for all licensed dialysis facilities in California. The need had been identified to fill the gaps that currently exist organizationally and administratively. The whys had been identified: united effort, human capital,  existing resources, financial support, and centralized coordination.

2. "To provide for centralized coordination to meet the needs and interests of its members."
This Statement of Purpose was listed second in that it describes the basic function of a mutual benefit organization:

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• To bring people together for common purposes,

• To maintain an open dialog with one another,

• To get to know each other, not just locally, but statewide,

• To share ideas and concerns,

• To leverage individual effort, and

• To plan and work together,

All of which led to a coordinated effort for common needs and interests.

3. "To propose, influence, and/or participate in the implementation of legislation of interest to members."

This Statement of Purpose was listed third in that, as stated previously, the primary motivation and interest to form the California Kidney Care Alliance at this time were to effectively deal with the continuing and escalating state legislation affecting the dialysis field. Dialysis healthcare providers today, perhaps more than ever before, have a monumental challenge and obligation to communicate with the legislature on legislative issues. AB 931 and 932 spotlighted the need for good communication during 1981. In 1982, additional legislation was proposed that had a profound impact on the ability to provide quality of care safely and economically.
 

The remaining Statements of Purpose, 4 through 7, round out the organization and establish a base for growth as the California Dialysis Council moves forward and builds momentum. California embarked on something that had never been done before in the dialysis field. No other State had attempted to form this type of organization with members working, planning, and setting priorities together as agents of change.
 

4. “To provide a central source for interaction with State and Federal Regulatory Agencies on issues of interest to its members.”
 

5. “To provide an organizational structure for interaction and interrelationship with other health-related organizations and associations.”
 

6. “To support educational seminars/workshops for its members.”
 

7. “To support shared service programs which would facilitate cost containment/reduction for its members.”

Goals

Specific short- and long-range goals of the California Kidney Care Alliance will be developed by the membership.
 

The Steering Committee, however, as part of its discussions, reviewed the following legislative objectives:

• Monitor proposed legislation of interest.

• Formulate a position on proposed legislation.

• Coordinate membership response to proposed legislation.

• Identify areas of need for new legislation.

• Coordinate response and involvement in the implementation of new legislation.

• Implement an ongoing program for cultivating, educating, and influencing elected officials and their staff on issues and/ or legislation of interest.

• Develop a program for ongoing relationships with California Medical Association, California Medical Association Political Action Committee, California Hospital Association, California Hospital Association Political Action Committee, United Hospital Association, Catholic Hospital Association, and other health-related organizations.

• Organize, amongst its membership, a network of contacts, memberships, and lines of communication with the Legislative Affairs Committee of the County Medical Associations/Societies, California Medical Association, Hospital Councils, California Hospitals Association, and other health-related organizations and associations.

In December 1981, at an early Steering Committee meeting, a Sacramento lobby firm was retained to represent the Steering Committee to follow the implementation of AB 931 and AB 932 and the introduction of other legislation. This firm is continuing to work on behalf of the CKCA.

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