Tampa, Fla.– On Thursday, June 28, 2007, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) joined several members of the kidney community in requesting U.S. House of Representative Howard L. Berman to join more than two-dozen members of Congress in becoming an original cosponsor of legislation that would extend Medicare Part B coverage of immunosuppressive medications.

Patients who have received a Medicare-eligible transplant (regardless of whether Medicare paid for the transplant and even if the individual's private health insurance paid for it) are entitled to Medicare coverage, under Medicare Part B, for their immunosuppressive medications for 36 months post-transplant. After the 36 month time period, many transplant recipients are unable to pay for these life saving drugs out of pocket.

AAKP believes, since Medicare covers the cost of the transplant for ESRD beneficiaries, it only makes sense for Medicare to preserve its investment by providing lifetime coverage of the anti-rejection medications needed to preserve the kidney. "This is common sense legislation," says Kris Robinson, AAKP Executive Director/CEO. "Why jeopardize the life of the patient or the transplant Medicare just paid for? We would be honored if Representative Berman signed on as co-sponsor of the bill."

Click here to read the kidney community’s letter to Representative Berman. You can also call the AAKP National Office at (800) 749-AAKP for more information.