March 11, 2020
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee gave a gift to kidney transplant patients on March 11th, the day before World Kidney Day, when it unanimously passed the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act (H.R. 5534).
During opening comments, Subcommittee Chairwoman Eshoo (D-CA) shared the sentiments of the members present saying that the coverage gap for immunosuppressive drugs “doesn’t make any sense.” Congressman Burgess (R-TX), the lead Republican sponsor of the legislation, followed her, stating “a kidney transplant is an investment that the government makes in a person’s future. Unfortunately, the investment is lost and the patient’s health is jeopardized if they lose coverage for immunosuppressive drugs.”
Today’s action from the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee marks an important first step towards passage by the House of Representatives. In order to move it through the next few steps, however, we need more Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor the bill. Please click here to write your Senators and Representatives.
Thank you to all our advocates who have helped us champion this cause; together we will pass this significant legislation.
