Medical Society: Don’t Say Kidney Disease

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) exists to support the study and treatment of kidney disease. So why is it wading into the debate over Florida’s new education law? The answer is simple: In the world of woke healthcare, medical institutions and their members must be political activists, even if it comes at the expense of helping patients and treating diseases. 

A Do No Harm member clued us into the Society’s increasing politicization. In a recent email about its upcoming Kidney Week conference in Orlando, ASN President Susan E. Quaggin criticized Florida’s legislation, which the media has referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill:

“Legislation [that was] passed in Florida… endangers some of our most vulnerable patients, family members, friends, colleagues, and communities—the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual & gender minority (LGBTQ+) communities. This sort of legislation has the horrifying potential to adversely impact the very future of this country.”

What does this bill, which dealt with K-3 education, have to do with kidney disease? Absolutely nothing. Yet the ASN still feels the need to prove its commitment to woke ideology. 

While it doesn’t plan to cancel or move the conference, the Society promises to devote its scarce resources toward social activism. That includes, among other things, “voicing our opposition to the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and other discriminatory practices” and “continuing to advocate for the health of undocumented immigrants.” 

Such is the sorry state of virtually every leading medical institution. At a time when chronic kidney disease is soaring, the professional association focused on dealing with this crisis is more concerned about education laws in Florida. The American Society of Nephrology should be ashamed – and its members should ask what else it’s doing to undermine its own mission and American healthcare.