Dear Editor,

I agree with Kerry Solan’s “Medicare policy needs revision” op-ed piece on Oct. 13 that changes are needed to the Medicare policy regarding kidney transplant patients.

There are a lot of misaligned incentives in the Medicare program, and this is one of them, which is why I think it is important that Congress fix it.

Kidney transplant patients without private health care insurance are eligible for Medicare, regardless of their age.

Medicare pays for dialysis, the transplant and, currently, a 36-month supply of the drug necessary following the transplant.

I believe limiting the amount of time Medicare will pay for the drugs to only 36 months is wrong, and I am a co-sponsor of HR 1458, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act, which would extend Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs beyond the first 36 months after a kidney transplant.

To reduce the likelihood of their bodies rejecting the new kidney, organ transplant recipients must take these drugs daily for the rest of their lives.

While these drugs are expensive, paying for them actually ends up saving Medicare money and, most importantly, allows kidney transplant patients to maintain a much higher quality of life.

No one should have to worry about their body rejecting a kidney transplant because they are unable to pay for the drugs to maintain their new organ, which is why I support revising this outdated Medicare policy and will continue to push for passage of HR 1458.

Sincerely,
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.

Congressman Burgess represents Texas’ 26th Congressional District, which includes Denton. He can be reached at 972-434-9700 or by writing to Lewisville District Office, 1660 S. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 230, Lewisville, TX 75067.


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