Public Policy Committee Report, June 2025

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES – JUNE, 2025

The Committee continued to be active to stay informed about pertinent legislation and administrative actions affecting our transplant community.

Part D Protected Classes update

At the most recent Part D Coalition meeting, Venn Strategies reports that congressional activity is anticipated to attack prescription drug prices. In the past, this has generally meant that the 6 Protected Classes provision is subject to scrutiny.

After the meeting, Rodger Goodacre sent the following comments germane to our participation:

1) the fact that they noted there are 65 new congressional reps which can provide some new opportunities for helping to build supportive people and (2) there may be a Trump possible executive order under the Most Favored Nation status that could significantly reduce prices and perhaps particular drug availability.

Honor The Gift non-invasive surveillance monitoring

Cura Strategies hasn’t reported out any developments concerning the CMS billing article for non-invasive testing. The Committee members who represent TRIO at the Honor The Gift Coalition will continue to stay in touch with Cura for any information.

Organ Transportation Workshop

The FAA has scheduled a video conference call meeting for June 6th to report out the results of the Congressionally mandated task force to re-established updated rules for organ transportation in the cabin. After Congress passed the Organ Transportation Act in 2024, a task force was established with all the major players to develop the plan to bring organs back into the cabin for travel. The Committee will keep the membership informed through monitoring these plans as they are announced.

The End Kidney Deaths Act

In May, the Committee hosted Elaine Perlman, the Executive Director of an organization called WaitListZero. She is also an executive with an organization called Modify NOTA. She is working with House congressional sponsors to establish tax credit payments for living kidney donors. The current iteration of this effort is called the End Kidney Deaths Act (HR.2687). Her group is also actively seeking out the sponsors for the Senate version of this bill.

Elaine also provided information about the Honor Our Living Donors Act (S.957, HR.628).