By writer to www.prnewswire.com
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Honor the Gift, a nationwide patient-centered coalition made up of 26 of the main kidney and transplant organizations throughout the nation, applauds the Home of Representatives on the bipartisan introduction of laws that may lengthen Medicare protection of immunosuppressive medicines for kidney transplant recipients.
The Complete Immunosuppressive Drug Protection for Kidney Transplant Sufferers Act—launched at this time within the Home by Reps. Ron Sort (R-WI) and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX)—would enable kidney transplant recipients to take care of Medicare Half B protection for immunosuppressive medicines past the present 3-year restrict, extending protection for the lifetime of the transplanted kidney. Members of the Honor the Present coalition have advocated for this much-needed change for nearly twenty years and are happy to see renewed efforts to handle the problem in Congress.
“As a kidney transplant recipient who simply handed Medicare’s three-year reduce off, I’m inspired by the bipartisan assist of this laws and am grateful this challenge is lastly receiving the eye it deserves,” mentioned Monica Fox, Supervisor of Outreach and Authorities Relations for the Nationwide Kidney Basis of Illinois, a affected person advocate for Honor the Present, and a kidney transplant recipient. “Beneath the present Medicare coverage, some kidney transplant recipients are compelled to decide on between paying for his or her immunosuppressive medicines or assembly their fundamental wants. If the federal government can forestall that from occurring and lower your expenses whereas they’re at it, voting sure on this laws is a no brainer.”
Based on a recent analysis by the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS), Medicare would save an estimated $300 million over 10 years by extending this anti-rejection medicine protection. HHS Sec. Alex Azar himself mentioned, “Extending protection of the immunosuppressant medication may assist sufferers avert dialysis sooner or later, supporting transplantation, which in fact is a greater well being final result at a decrease value.”
“The present Medicare reimbursement system for kidney sufferers’ post-transplant care is not sensible morally or financially and I am thrilled so many members of Congress are working onerous to see that it is modified,” mentioned Dr. Matthew Cooper, director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation on the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute (MGTI) and a Professor of Surgical procedure at Georgetown College Faculty of Drugs. “Since we have additionally obtained assist from the Administration, we’re extra hopeful now than ever that we are able to lastly get this laws handed and do proper by kidney recipients and their donors.”
Amending Medicare’s present coverage not solely would save the system cash, however it will assist defend the lives of kidney transplant sufferers as nicely. 68% of kidney transplant packages in america have reported deaths and organ transplant losses as a consequence of sufferers’ incapability to pay for his or her anti-rejection medicines. In 2015 alone, 375 Medicare patients needlessly misplaced their transplanted kidney as a consequence of lack of immunosuppressive medicine protection.
“Kidney transplant sufferers have been affected by Medicare’s lack of long-term immunosuppressive medicine protection for much too lengthy,” mentioned Jim Gleason, President of Transplant Recipients Worldwide Group (TRIO). “Guaranteeing these sufferers’ medicines are lined past simply at this time’s 36 months will present a lot wanted reduction to hundreds of households throughout the nation. We’re grateful for these in Congress who’re working to lastly guarantee this laws makes it to the President’s desk.”
Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Donald McEachin (D-VA) and Jason Smith (R-MO), joined Sort and Burgess as authentic cosponsors of the laws. Leaders within the Senate are anticipated to introduce an identical invoice later this 12 months. Kidney transplant recipients, donors and advocates can contact their members of Congress and categorical their assist for the laws by visiting the Honor the Present’s web site and using its digital advocacy tool.
Study extra about Honor the Items’ efforts to increase Medicare protection of immunosuppressive medicines for kidney transplant sufferers at HonorTheGift.org.
About Honor the Present
Honor the Present is a nationwide patient-centered marketing campaign targeted on extending Medicare protection of immunosuppressive medicine for kidney transplant recipients past the present three-year restrict. The marketing campaign is powered by a coalition of stakeholder teams from across the nation devoted to defending kidney transplant sufferers and honoring the reward of kidney donation by offering civic engagement instruments and sources. For extra info, go to HonorTheGift.org.
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Alex Dinkel
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SOURCE Honor the Present
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