A Conversation About A New Bill Introduced in Congress
GLENDALE, Calif., – November 1, 2011 – Renal Support Networks’ (RSN), KidneyTalk covers a topic that affects most people who have or are waiting for a kidney transplant. People who have received a kidney transplant who have Medicare will lose their Medicare benefits 36 months post-transplant, if they are not disabled or are not over the age of 65. If a transplant recipient does not have health insurance and/or access to the medications that keep the organ viable, it leaves them at risk of losing their transplant due to rejection. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., from Texas, introduced the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011 (H.R. 2969) to help transplant recipients have continued access to the life-saving medication.
Lori Hartwell, RSN Founder and host of KidneyTalk, received a kidney transplant herself in February of this year. She has lived through the difficulty of losing a transplanted kidney in the past due to health issues and discusses with Congressman Burgess the unneeded pain and suffering people go through when it happens due to lack of funds to pay the medications.
Congressman Burgess explains why this bill is good policy and a necessity, to save Medicare money and to save patient lives. The Bill needs support and RSN urges the public to contact their representatives support H.R. 2969.
KidneyTalk can be found on Renal Support Network’s website, www.RSNhope.org and is also available as a free download on iTunes.
About Renal Support Network
Renal Support Network is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by chronic kidney disease. Renal Support Network strives to motivate and assist patients in developing their personal coping skills, special talents and employability by educating and empowering them (and their family members) to take control of the course and management of their disease. Renal Support Network values people with kidney disease and helps them become self-sufficient through education, advocacy and hope for a better tomorrow through numerous educational and support programs including the RSN HopeLine, KidneyTalk and KidneySpeak. For more information, please visit www.RSNhope.org.