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CVS Health Applauds Introduction of Key Legislation Ensuring Kidney Transplant Patients Can Maintain Medicare Coverage of Immunosuppressive Drugs

January 08, 2020 | Public Policy

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health issued the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 in the United States Congress:

Tens of thousands of people in the United States have kidney transplants each year and taking immunosuppressant medications is key to the success of each patient’s journey. Unfortunately, when kidney patients are without health coverage, they too often stop taking these medications and in turn, redevelop kidney failure. CVS Health applauds reintroduction of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019, legislation that ensures kidney transplant patients can maintain access to Medicare Part B coverage for immunosuppressant drugs after it currently expires, if no other coverage is available.

As a company committed to patient-centric and clinically-optimal kidney care, we support policies like these that have the potential to improve the lives of kidney disease patients. CVS Health is focused on reshaping the patient experience through CVS Kidney Care and will continue to advance new kidney disease management programs while also developing new technologies to treat kidney failure. We applaud Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Ron Kind (D-WI) for championing this important legislation.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is the nation's premier health innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Whether in one of its pharmacies or through its health services and plans, CVS Health is pioneering a bold new approach to total health by making quality care more affordable, accessible, simple and seamless. CVS Health is community-based and locally focused, engaging consumers with the care they need when and where they need it. The Company has approximately 9,900 retail locations, approximately 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 102 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year and expanding specialty pharmacy services. CVS Health also serves an estimated 38 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including rapidly expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company believes its innovative health care model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.