The full House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously passed H.R. 5534, the Comprehensive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act (referred to as the "Immuno Bill"). Prior to the unanimous Committee vote on July 15, 2020. Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) made remarks publicly recognizing the work of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), and American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). Congressman Burgess further requested that a joint letter of support from AST, ASTS, and AAKP be entered into the official markup record.
This vote was a critical next step toward ensuring that transplant patients can secure the lifesaving immunosuppressive medications that they must take to maintain a life-saving transplant.
The joint society letter sent to the House Energy and Commerce Committee describes how the implementation of the Comprehensive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act is expected to improve outcomes, reduce the need for re-transplantation, and motivate more potential living donors to “donate the gift of life.” It also highlights how this critical legislation has never been more important to advance than in this current COVID-19 pandemic era: organ transplant patients remain an immunocompromised and very vulnerable patient population and were recently added to the most at-risk classification list by the Centers for Disease Control.
After this approval, the AST, ASTS, and AAKP sent a new letter to Senate leadership urging the swift passage of this bill during the 116th Congress.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your Congressional representatives to request support and swift approval of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act (S. 3353 and H.R. 5534) during the 116th Congress.
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