STATEHOUSE – A bill sponsored by State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) to extend health insurance coverage to Hoosiers living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and end-stage renal disease is headed to the governor's desk.
Lou Gehrig's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and eventually death. End-stage renal disease causes kidneys to stop functioning, and patients need long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Currently, patients with these diseases are the only ones who can access Medicare coverage before age 65, but not Medicare supplemental insurance called Medigap. Private companies sell Medigap to cover health care costs not covered by Medicare, including copayments and deductibles. Abbott said his legislation would give Hoosier ALS and ESRD patients access to Medigap coverage at a similar cost to regular Medicare recipients.
"Many Hoosiers living with ALS and ESRD face tremendous hurdles both physically and financially," Abbott said. "Expanding Medigap coverage to these patients will prevent them from paying high premiums, draining assets and obtaining medical divorces in order to cover treatment expenses."
The legislation applies to Medicare supplemental plans A, B and D, which are the bulk of the plans people enroll in. For all other Medicare plans, ALS and ESRD patients would pay 200% of what customers aged 65 or older pay.
The American Kidney Fund, ALS Association and Dialysis Patient Citizens testified in support of the bill.
Senate Enrolled Act 215 is now headed to the governor for consideration as a new law. For more information and to follow legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.