HR 540: Congress; adopt legislation requiring Medicare program to provide for lifelong coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients; urge

Under current federal Medicare rules, most transplant recipients other than kidney recipients only get coverage for immunosuppressive drugs (medications that stop the body from rejecting a transplanted organ) for 36 months after their transplant. This resolution does not change Georgia or federal law itself; instead it asks the U.S. Congress to pass legislation extending lifelong Medicare coverage of these drugs to liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients, the same way kidney transplant recipients already receive. The resolution lays out reasons for the request, including that dialysis treatment costs Medicare far more per patient annually than immunosuppressive drugs do, and that losing drug coverage can lead to organ rejection, hospitalization, or a return to dialysis. It also states Georgia's support for policies expanding post-transplant care access. The Clerk of the House is directed to send copies to the President, congressional leaders, and Georgia's congressional delegation.

• 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 this coverage should match what kidney transplant recipients already receive under current Medicare rules.
• Declares Georgia's general support for policies that expand post-transplant care access, cut healthcare costs, and promote equity in healthcare.
• Directs the Clerk of the House 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.

Liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients nationwide who rely on immunosuppressive drugs, the federal Medicare program, and members of Georgia's congressional delegation who would receive this request. The resolution does not itself change any Georgia or federal law or program.

Because this is a resolution, it carries no legal force and changes no law by itself. It is a formal request for Congress to act. If Congress eventually followed through, transplant recipients could keep drug coverage for life instead of losing it after 36 months, reducing their risk of organ rejection and returning to dialysis.

• The resolving clause urges Congress to require Medicare to provide lifelong coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients, matching kidney transplant recipient coverage.
• A further resolution states Georgia's support for expanding post-transplant care access and healthcare equity through federal and state policies.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to transmit copies to the President, congressional leaders, and Georgia's congressional delegation.

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-67)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-83)
• Sharon Henderson (D, HD-113)

• Medicare coverage
• organ transplants
• immunosuppressive drugs
• healthcare policy
• federal legislation