South Carolina kidney patients to meet lawmakers and urge passage of S. 1128 legislation

On Wednesday, March 3, kidney patients from across South Carolina will join the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas, South Carolina Region and Dialysis Patient Citizens in holding a briefing at the State Capitol Rotunda, followed by a series of meetings with lawmakers and staff, urging the passage of key legislation this year that would help approximately 500 South Carolina kidney failure patients and thousands of disabled South Carolinians who are struggling to access health insurance for the life-saving medical care they need.

The legislation – S. 1128, sponsored by Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), and H. 4552, sponsored by Representatives Joan Brady (R-Richland), Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca) and Kristopher Crawford (R-Florence) – would provide the opportunity for South Carolina’s end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and disabled patients under the age of 65 to purchase Medigap secondary insurance 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 without cost being a barrier. Patients and kidney care advocates will ask lawmakers to extend the same coverage option to South Carolina’s ESRD and disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65.

If South Carolina 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 $4.6 million over the next five years for South Carolina 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 South Carolina.

Source National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas, South Carolina Region