For the rest of their lives, kidney transplant recipients require daily immunosuppressive medications to reduce the likelihood of organ rejection. Under current law, however, Medicare covers the cost of a kidney transplant but only pays for anti-rejection medication for three years. After Medicare drops their coverage, transplant patients who aren’t fortunate enough to find affordable insurance are left to cover the cost of the medication on their own.
Without immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection, many patients find themselves back in a risky and frightening place – having to go back on dialysis and in need of a new kidney. The current policy is costly, decreases ESRD patients’ quality of life, and fails to honor the sacrifice of the donor.
Everyone loses when a kidney transplant fails because of lack of immunosuppressive
medication access.
That’s why The Alliance has joined a coalition to launch Honor the Gift, a campaign aimed at pushing Congress to protect people living with transplants and honor their donors.
It’s time to ensure Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive medication for kidney transplant patients. Join the movement – sign up to receive email updates about the campaign.
