Enact the Immunosuppresive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act

Current Status

The House version of this legislation (H.R. 3282) was introduced on August 1, 2007, by U.S. Reps. Dave Camp (R-MI) and Ron Kind (D-WI). Currently, there are 65 co-sponsors of the bill. The bill was referred to the Education and Labor Committee, the Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.

The Senate version of this legislation (S. 2320) was introduced on Nov. 7, 2007, by U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Thad Cochran (R-MS). Currently, there are seven co-sponsors of the bill. It was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.

Importance to PKD Patients

At least 50 percent of PKD patients will end up in kidney failure, requiring them to go on dialysis or have kidney transplants to live. While Medicare covers dialysis indefinitely, it will only cover immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplants for 36 months, unless the transplant patient is also eligible for Medicare coverage because of age or disability. This legislation ends the 36-month coverage limit for anti-rejection medications.

Many patients cannot afford immunosuppressive drugs without the help of Medicare, increasing the chances their new kidney will be rejected, forcing patients back on dialysis or to undergo another transplant. Medicare coverage of anti-rejection drugs is far less costly ($15,000 per year) than kidney dialysis (at least $50,000 per year) or the cost of a transplant ($100,000).

Download Documents

Summary of H.R. 3282/S. 2320 (PDF)