Rep. Miller, Colleagues Introduce the Kidney PATIENT Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Earl L. (Buddy) Carter (R-GA), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), and Terri Sewell (D-AL) in introducing the bipartisan Kidney Patient Access to Technologically Innovative and Essential Nephrological Treatments (PATIENT) Act. The Kidney PATIENT Act will provide access to critical care and affordable oral medicines for chronic kidney disease patients. 
 
“Kidney patients should be able to access as many therapies as possible, as cost-effectively as possible,” said Congresswoman Miller. “Access to oral-only drugs is critical to many patients. The Kidney PATIENT Act will not only save taxpayers money but provide affordable treatment for kidney patients across the country.”
 
“We cannot let bureaucracy get in the way of patients’ health and well-being,” said Congressman Carter. “As a pharmacist, I know just how important it is for patients, especially those with kidney disease, to be able to access and afford the medicine prescribed by their doctor. This is bipartisan, it’s been done before, and it will save taxpayer dollars. Let’s pass this bill and stop CMS from gambling with patients’ lives.” 
 
“Patients with complex medical conditions like End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) must have access to the medications that they need,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Changes in Medicare’s ESRD Prospective Payment System could create barriers to essential medications and should be delayed until it's clear that patients’ access will not be impacted." 
 
“The Kidney PATIENT Act is key to maintaining access to oral only medications that have been proven to increase the quality of life for millions of Americans experiencing kidney disease," said Congresswoman Sewell. "I am proud to be leading this bipartisan, common sense legislation and urge my colleagues to give it their full support!”
 
Click here for bill text.
 
Background:

• Unless Congressional action is taken, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will move oral-only drugs into the Medicare Part B End-Stage Renal Disease (ERSD) prospective payment system in 2025, which will restrict access to medications and increase dialysis treatment costs for kidney disease patients. The Kidney PATIENT Act will delay this move until 2033 or until new therapies come to the market to ensure patients are able to access affordable medications for their health. 

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