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Kidney Patients From Across South Carolina to Visit State Legislature, Urge Needed Insurance Coverage for South Carolina's Kidney Patients

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.

Dialysis Patient Citizens
Rebecca Reid, 410-212-3843
rreid@schmidtpa.com
or
On site:
Courtney Goodwin, 703-966-1214
cgoodwin@schmidtpa.com