Dear James: Thank you for contacting me to express your support for H.R. 6139, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2016. I appreciate hearing from you. Introduced by Rep. Burgess, H.R. 6139 would allow individuals who are eligible for immunosuppressive drugs under Medicare Part B to continue to receive treatment as long as medically necessary. Currently, Medicare only covers immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months after the transplant occurs, unless the patient was already entitled to Medicare prior to developing the condition that necessitated a kidney transplant. H.R. 6139 was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, where it is currently pending consideration. The measure has seven cosponsors and a companion measure has not been introduced in the Senate. You should know that I share your concerns regarding accessibility to proper care for kidney disease. That is why I submitted a programmatic request to H.R. 5926, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act in support of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health. As you may know, the NIDDK supports research, training, and communication with the public on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases. On July 14, 2016, the House Appropriations Committee approved H.R. 5926 by a vote of 31 to 19. The measure includes $1.8 billion for the NIDDK. This is equal to the FY 2016 funding level and an increase of $100 million over the President’s budget request. Subsequently, the measure was referred to the full House, where it is currently pending consideration. Thank you again for contacting me. Be assured that I will continue to monitor the progress of H.R. 6139 with your views in mind. Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Sincerely, Peter J. Visclosky Member of Congress