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Press Conference: Hundreds of transplant patients, physicians, and health equity advocates expected to rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, December 5 to ask President Joe Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “Urgently intervene! Stop private contractors from rolling back Medicare coverage for crucial transplant blood tests before it is too late.”

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Medicare changes announced in March 2023 have alarmed transplant patients and clinicians, causing significant decline in crucial blood test use to detect early signs of organ transplant rejection.

The transplant community is fearful their voices have been ignored and are making a public plea to the Biden Administration.

Universally celebrated recording artist and transplant patient Al B. Sure! and civil rights and social justice leader, Rev. Al Sharpton joining the cause and fighting for minorities and the underserved who are disproportionately affected by these rollbacks.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Honor the Gift, a coalition representing organ transplant patients across the nation, will be joined by Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), the American Association of Kidney Patient’s (AAKP) Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, Al B Sure!, Executive Chairman of the newly formed “Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition,” Rev. Al Sharpton, Senior Advisor, and other leaders in the transplant field, to hold a press conference on December 5, 2023 in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Read the full press release from Honor the Gift.

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Alexandra Harrison-Flaxman—How a Transplant Recipient Became a Legislation Advocate

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“The passage of the Immuno Bill is not just a win for the patient community …” says Alexandra Harrison-Flaxman “… it’s a win because of the patient community.”

On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed S. 3353 – Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplants Patients Act of 2020 (The Immuno Bill).

Earlier, on December 8, 2020, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5534, which set up the Senate vote.

The bi-partisan passage of the Immuno Bill now awaits the President’s signature.

Getting the bill passed has been Alexandra’s (“Alex’s”) passion for several years now and she says she cried when watching both the House and Senate pass the legislation.

“I was thinking, ‘This is crazy,’ I’ve just been a part of enacting actual change for kidney-transplant recipients,” says Alex, 34.

Read Alexandra’s full story, here.

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National Coalition of Kidney and Transplant Organizations Successfully Advocate for the Protection of Kidney Transplant Recipients

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“

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 21, 2020 – Honor the Gift, a national, patient-centered coalition dedicated to improving the lives of kidney transplant patients and honoring the gift of their donors, today celebrates the passage of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 (H.R. 5534 / S. 3353).

This critical legislation, known to many in the community as the Immuno Bill, marks an important milestone in the history of American kidney care. For more than twenty years, patients, donors and their supporters have advocated for the extension of Medicare part B coverage of immunosuppressive medications for kidney transplant recipients. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Honor the Gift coalition and the entire kidney, donation and transplant community, Congress has finally taken action to honor the gift.”

Read the full press release, here.

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It’s time for Congress to keep its promise to kidney transplant patients

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“In 1972, as millions of Americans living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) struggled to access care, Congress made a commitment to cover the rising costs of their treatment, including kidney transplant. Unfortunately, almost 50 years later, this commitment remains unfulfilled.

Kidney transplant patients must remain on immunosuppressive therapy for life or risk losing their transplant. For nearly two decades, the kidney, transplantation, and donation communities have been advocating to extend immunosuppressive medication coverage for kidney transplant patients beyond Medicare’s current three-year limit.”

Read the full article in POLITICO, here.

To take action and help Finish The Fight, contact your members of congress, here.

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