HR540: HR540 Congress; adopt legislation requiring Medicare program to provide for lifelong coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients; urge

This resolution does not change Georgia law or federal law itself. It is a formal statement from the Georgia House of Representatives calling on the U.S. Congress to pass legislation extending lifelong Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs, the medications transplant patients need to keep their bodies from rejecting a new organ, to recipients of liver, heart, and lung transplants. The resolution notes that Medicare already limits coverage of these drugs to 36 months after a transplant for most kidney recipients, and argues that similar limits for other organ recipients risk organ rejection, costly hospitalizations, and a return to treatments like dialysis. It cites cost comparisons between dialysis and immunosuppressive medication, and directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the President, the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate, and Georgia's congressional delegation.

• Formally urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation requiring Medicare to cover immunosuppressive drugs for life for liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients.
• States that Georgia supports federal and state initiatives that expand post-transplant care access, lower healthcare costs, and promote equity in healthcare.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to the President, the Speaker of the U.S. House, the President of the U.S. Senate, and Georgia's congressional delegation.
• Does not itself change any Georgia or federal law, since it is a resolution expressing the General Assembly's position rather than a bill.

Liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients covered by Medicare, along with their doctors and transplant programs. It also speaks to members of Congress and the Georgia congressional delegation, who are the resolution's intended audience.

If Congress acted on this request, transplant patients could keep receiving Medicare-covered anti-rejection drugs indefinitely instead of losing coverage after a set period, potentially avoiding organ rejection, hospitalization, or a return to treatments like dialysis. The resolution itself has no legal effect until Congress acts.

• First resolving clause: urges Congress to require lifelong Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients, matching existing coverage for kidney recipients.
• Second resolving clause: states Georgia's support for initiatives expanding post-transplant care access and reducing healthcare costs and disparities.
• Third resolving clause: directs the Clerk of the House to transmit copies of the resolution to federal officials and Georgia's congressional delegation.
• Preamble notes Medicare currently limits immunosuppressive drug coverage to 36 months after transplant for most kidney recipients, and cites cost estimates of about $90,000 annually for dialysis versus $10,000 to $15,000 for immunosuppressive medications.

1. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Sharon Henderson (D, HD-113)

• Medicare
• organ transplants
• healthcare policy
• prescription drug coverage
• federal advocacy