Immuno Bill Passes 100 Co-Sponsors in the House and Senate

As you’re probably aware, during the past year AST has been working tirelessly with our public policy team, other transplantation professionals and members of the Senate to introduce the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011.

This important bipartisan and bicameral legislation will ensure kidney transplant recipients are able to maintain Medicare Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs necessary to avoid organ rejection and a return to more costly treatments. And as of this morning, we are happy to report that the bill has surpassed 100 co-sponsors in the House and Senate.

While this is a significant and historic step, it is by no means the end of the road. Only with your continued support will we ensure that kidney transplant recipients have access to the drugs that prevent their immune system from rejecting the transplanted organ. If patients lose this transplant, they resume expensive dialysis payments and risk longer waiting periods for another life-sustaining kidney transplant.

Please see our joint letter to all 535 members of Congress, urging others to add their name to the bill and pass the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011.

We encourage all AST members to continue to get the word out about this legislation, and write their representatives today to offer support.

Please share this letter with your 2 U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative.

-Roz