Political Quotes

“Organ transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. No longer is it considered experimental. Today, transplants are accepted as the best treatment for certain diseases, including End Stage Renal Disease. Approximately 28,000 organ transplants were performed last year in the U.S. The vast majority of transplants are provided to patients in need of a kidney. Our Medicare system provides health care to millions of aged and disabled Americans, as well as those living with ESRD, each year. Thousands of Americans receive a Medicare-covered kidney transplant each year through the Medicare ESRD Program, which also covers dialysis, immunosuppressive drugs, and other medically important services. Unfortunately, there are long waiting lists for people who need an organ. Today there are over 98,000 individuals waiting for a transplant. For those lucky enough to receive one, the next challenge is to obtain coverage for immunosuppressive drugs--medications that organ transplant recipients must take every day for the life of their transplant to reduce the risk of organ rejection. In 2000, Congress wisely eliminated the 36-month time limitation for Medicare-aged and Medicare-disabled beneficiaries who had Medicare status at the time of transplant. Today, for an older or disabled person on Medicare, coverage for immunosuppressive drugs is covered for the life of the transplant.”