Date
The Honorable (Elected Official’s First & Last Name)
District or Federal Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Senator/U.S. Representative First & Last Name Here,
I/We want your support on critical legislation for individuals suffering from End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 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 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
CKD 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.
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.
(Add personal message here)
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.
We appreciate your support of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
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