The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) said Friday, Oct. 23, it would intensify advocacy for a bill to revise the AbilityOne program, after the U.S. AbilityOne Commission reported 40,663 employees who were blind or had significant disabilities in fiscal 2025.
H.R. 10443 would require participating employees at eligible nonprofit agencies or state agencies seeking Commission authorization to perform at least 51% of the direct-labor hours tied to listed work. It also calls for employee development and pay comparable with that of workers without disabilities in similar roles.
The bill would let the Commission add certain new or emerging products and services to its procurement list for up to five years. Its findings say AbilityOne’s statutory framework has not changed in more than 50 years and needs revision.
The Commission’s fiscal 2025 report records about 48 million direct-labor hours, an 8% increase from the previous year, and $4.7 billion in federal sales, up more than 5%. It also counts 2,500 wounded, ill or injured veterans in direct-labor jobs.
The broader employment gap remains wide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the employment-population ratio in 2024 was 22.7% for people with disabilities, compared with 65.5% for people without disabilities.
AAKP argues that thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis can make it harder for some patients to keep working. The bill does not specifically mention kidney disease. AAKP also says families and taxpayers bear costs associated with dialysis-related unemployment.
AAKP President Edward V. Hickey, III, said disability and chronic illness can make it harder to stay employed or return to work, with veterans facing particular challenges.
Rep. Steny Hoyer introduced the bill Sept. 16, with Republican Rep. Pete Sessions among its original cosponsors. It was referred to the House committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Armed Services. AAKP has urged Congress to pass the measure before the end of 2026.
