[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE INSULIN-FREE WORLD MEDICARE PANCREAS 
                  TRANSPLANTATION COVERAGE ACT OF 2000

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                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2000

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Insulin-
Free World Medicare Pancreas Transplantation Coverage Act of 2000, to 
provide Medicare coverage for pancreas transplants. I introduce this 
legislation with my colleagues Mrs. Capps, Mr. Porter and Mr. LaFalce.
  On July 1, 1999, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) 
announced that the agency would provide coverage for pancreas 
transplants performed in people who also require kidney transplants. 
However, the agency continues to deny coverage for transplants in 
people who have reached kidney failure. Several studies, including one 
published in the New England Journal of Medicine in July 1998, indicate 
that a pancreas transplant performed before kidney disease is 
significant, can eliminate the need for a kidney transplant. My 
legislation would reverse this shortsighted policy.
  While HCFA provides coverage for segmented/split liver transplants, 
the agency does not provide coverage for a pancreas that is segmented/
split. This position should be reversed particularly in light of the 
profound and well-publicized organ shortage. In practice, Medicare's 
existing pancreas transplant coverage policy means that a pancreas may 
not be divided and used for more than one person. In addition, if part 
of the donor pancreas is found to be damaged, Medicare would not cover 
transplanting the useable portion. Medicare also would not cover a 
transplant for a person who has been offered the ultimate gift of life 
of part of a pancreas from a living relative.
  Pancreas transplantation represents the first significant advance 
toward curing diabetes since the discovery of insulin. I urge my 
colleague to join me in supporting this legislation designed to give 
years of life and health back to people with long-standing diabetes.

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