Kidney care advocates urge passage of key legislation for Georgia’s kidney patients

On Tuesday, February 9, kidney patients from across the state of Georgia will join Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) – a national, non-profit, patient-led organization representing approximately 1,300 members in Georgia and 22,000 members nationwide – in holding a briefing at the State Capitol, followed by a series of meetings with lawmakers and staff, urging the passage of key legislation this year that would help thousands of Georgia’s kidney failure patients who are struggling to access health insurance for the medical care they need.

The legislation – S.B. 316, sponsored by State Senators Don Thomas (R-Dalton) and Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) – would provide the opportunity for approximately 2,000 Georgia end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and disabled patients under the age of 65 to access Medigap secondary coverage. Under current federal law, all Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 are already able to purchase Medigap, which provides them with access to needed medical treatments, including kidney transplant, without cost being a barrier. Patients and kidney care advocates will ask lawmakers to extend the same coverage to Georgia’s ESRD and disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65.

If Georgia passes this important legislation, fewer people will be forced to “spend down” their assets to enter the state Medicaid program, resulting in Medicaid savings of up to $20 million over the next five years for Georgia and protecting taxpayers from higher program costs.

Come meet patients and learn about their experiences with kidney disease, and find out why this legislation is good for patients, good for taxpayers and good for Georgia.