Ind. House Republicans: Carbaugh – Legislation to Extend Health Coverage to Vulnerable Hoosiers Heads to Governor

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Feb. 29 -- The Indiana House Republicans issued the following news release:

The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to extend critical health insurance coverage to Hoosiers living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and end-stage renal disease, according to State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne).

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. This legislation, which Carbaugh sponsored, would give Hoosier ALS and ESRD patients access to Medigap coverage at a similar cost to regular Medicare recipients.

"Hoosiers battling with these diseases are likely to experience financial hardship and struggle to find sufficient health insurance coverage," Carbaugh said. "This legislation could help relieve some of the stress put on these patients and their families as they pursue critical treatments."

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.