CMS retiring draft LCD underscores the merits
of lifesaving blood tests for transplant patients and the power of
community and grassroots advocacy to ensure health equity in
transplantation
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Equity in
Transplantation Coalition (HEiTC) today issued a statement in
response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
rescinding the proposed Local Coverage Determination and
reinstating longstanding Medicare coverage of non-invasive
post-transplant blood tests used to routinely monitor organ health
without regard for whether a surgical biopsy might otherwise be
ordered. This decision demonstrates that CMS listened to the
concerns of thousands of transplant patients and physicians,
underscoring their commitment to doing what's right by addressing
the needs of all affected Americans – particularly Black, Hispanic, and Latino communities and
those living in rural and underserved areas – by restoring
access to non-invasive blood tests to detect early signs of
rejection.
"As any organ transplant recipient will tell you the path to
recovery is a steep, uphill, and daily battle. What's less known is
that this journey poses even greater risks for Black Americans
because we are biologically more likely to experience organ
rejection, and are disproportionately represented in the transplant
population," said Al B. Sure!, Executive Chairman
of HEiTC. "This is why I founded HEiTC, alongside
communications guru Rachel
Noerdlinger and my brother, Rev. Al
Sharpton, to fight for my transplant family. The road to
reinstating the longstanding coverage policy was arduous, with tens
of thousands of Black and Brown
transplant patients living with a daily anxiety throughout this
journey– unsure if their gift of life was failing them. Restoration
of this coverage cannot turn back the clock to March 2023, but it will hopefully ensure such a
decision is never made again. I want to thank all our partners in
government, including Vice President Harris, CBC Chair Horsford,
and Administrator Brooks-LaSure for giving their time and attention
to the concerns of transplant patients and for the open ear they
gave on this issue. Our journey is far from over as we must now
ensure that any future LCD reflects the voices of the entire
transplant community before any coverage changes are implemented,
but today's results certainly get us a step closer to achieving
real equity in healthcare."
"Health equity is a treacherous mountain to climb, but today,
Black and Brown organ transplant
patients regained access to a blood test that helps determine their
health outcomes," said Rev. Al Shaprton, Senior
Advisor to HEiTC. "The decision to reinstate Medicare
coverage for the use of surveillance blood tests is a positive step
toward health equity, and we thank CMS and Administrator
Brooks-LaSure for returning to a Medicare coverage policy that
aligns with the merits and facts presented by the transplant
community. This decision ensures that all transplant patients,
regardless of their socioeconomic status or geography, have access
to the benefits of this critical tool."
Since its inception in December 2023, HEiTC has
actively engaged lawmakers, regulators and other stakeholders to
advocate for restored coverage of these critical tests, which are
able to catch early signs of rejection. Before coverage was
significantly restricted in March
2023, these tests served as a lifeline for organ transplant
recipients because they are non-invasive and can often be conducted
at home. That in turn has been a boon to Black, Brown, and rural communities, which
have historically lacked access to equitable healthcare.
HEiTC is grateful to its allies including the Honor the Gift
Coalition, whose partnership was pivotal in raising awareness of
the issue and achieving our shared goal, allowing all transplant
patients, including those from Black and Brown communities, to reclaim their
future. Moving forward, HEiTC remains committed to
working with CMS and other stakeholders to close health equity gaps
across all areas of healthcare, ensuring that policy changes
consider and address the needs of Black and Brown communities.
Press Contact:
Rachel
Noerdlinger
HETC@Actumllc.com
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SOURCE Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition