Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, and Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Health, released the following statement in regards to the importance of the Kidney PATIENT Act:

“Thousands of New Yorkers are at risk of facing unforeseen disruptions and spikes in their payments for kidney disease treatment and hyperphosphatemia, which is why we are urging members of New York’s Congressional Delegation to pass legislation to delay this decision. The Kidney PATIENT Act (H.R. 5074/S. 4510) will maintain access to the lifesaving care New Yorkers – especially the most vulnerable - need. Current proposals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aim to package new drugs into the Medicare End Stage Renal Disease Bundle, which would have a disproportionate effect on communities of color as well as the accessibility of essential medications that keep patients alive,” stated Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Caucus Chair. “Studies show that African Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure compared to White Americans. Meanwhile, Asian Americans and Hispanics have a higher chance of developing diabetes and hypertension, which are the leading causes of kidney disease. The proposed bundle plan would be detrimental to our shared constituents, creating significant barriers to accessing necessary treatments. Decisions like this can undoubtedly impose further financial burdens on our marginalized communities. We cannot stand by while these inequities persist. We will continue to fight tirelessly for the passage of this legislation and for the equitable health coverage of all New Yorkers.”

"By supporting the Kidney PATIENT Act (H.R. 5074/S. 4510), we reinforce our commitment to aggressively addressing healthcare disparities, by supporting individuals with kidney health problems who need to continue receiving medications easily and without additional financial burden. We must ensure fair access to care for more than 2,220,000 adults in the Greater New York Area, most of whom are Black, Latino, and Asian Americans,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. "I thank and stand firmly with Assemblymember Solages in advocating for this federal legislation and urge our Congressional Delegation to support its passage as another step toward guaranteeing healthcare as a right and not a privilege."