The Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2013 - H.R. 1428, and S. 323 – will substantially benefit individuals who have received a kidney transplant. The congressional bill helps transplant recipients obtain life-enhancing immunosuppressive medications necessary to preserve the viability of their new kidney.

Currently, those impacted with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are covered through the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for dialysis treatment. Elderly and disabled populations receive lifetime coverage. Unfortunately, CMS coverage for ESRD patients, who are not aged or disabled, is terminated 36 months after receiving a kidney transplant. This bill will extend CMS coverage for immunosuppressive medications, only. 

Research shows that many transplant recipients experience graft failure because they are unable to take the necessary immunosuppressive drugs that maintain optimum health. In the event that a kidney transplant fails. The patient will yield to dialysis treatment or receive another transplant, if and when available. It is very important to know that of the 120,000 people on the national transplant waiting list 20-30% are waiting for a second transplant, due large in part to graft failure or rejection.

CMS spends more than $86,000 a year on one dialysis patient and about $25,000 annually for a kidney transplant recipient. Treatment for all dialysis patients cost about $33 billion but national coverage for immunosuppressive medication is only around $350 million. It is significantly more cost-effective to provide financial resources to pay for critical medication that can prevent re-transplant or the need for dialysis. Terminating services after 36 months post-transplant is not only a burden on the recipients but the government’s financial resources.    

By supporting lifetime immunosuppressive coverage, you will help improve long-term transplant outcomes, reduce the number of kidney patients who require another transplant, and enable more patients to choose transplantation as their therapy.