AKF: CBO report suggests bill to cover immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients will save Medicare $400M over 10 years -

A bill before the House of Representatives would provide Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs used by kidney transplant patients under the age of 65. The American Kidney Fund (AKF), which has championed the cause for many years, says the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the proposed legislation would reduce the amount of public spending on Medicare by $400 million over the first decade. The AKF cited a study (sub. req.) that up to 70% of programs reported patients who suffered organ rejection or died because they couldn’t afford immunosuppressive drugs.