Congressional Hearing Held on the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 (H.R. 5534)

Congressmen Kind (D-WI) and Burgess (R-TX) have given the kidney community an amazing New Year’s present by introducing the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 (H.R. 5534)! NKF has worked very closely with our Congressional champions, the transplant community, and other stakeholders to craft and build support for the legislation, which would eliminate the 36-month limit on Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients who do not otherwise have coverage for these important medications.

Even more exciting, on Wednesday, January 8^th, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing, during which NKF Board Member Dr. Matthew Cooper testified on behalf of NKF and the kidney community for this legislation. Throughout the hearing, Members of Congress commented on the absurdity of the current policy and promised to move the bill quickly.  Subcommittee Chair and Co-sponsor of the legislation Anna Eshoo (D-CA) commented, “This bill will move. It just makes sense.”  Clearly, this very promising, but NKF must continue to advocate for the passage of this life-saving legislation.

Please help us ensure that Congress gives all kidney patients this landmark benefit!  Write your Members of Congress to urge them co-sponsor this bill so that we can help those in need NOW.

Click to read NKF's and Dr. Matthew Cooper's testimony.

Click to read NKF's press release on the hearing.