BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2352
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Date of Hearing: May 5, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2352 (John A. Perez) - As Introduced: February 19, 2010
Policy Committee: HealthVote:17-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a state-only program to ensure
dialysis-only Medi-Cal beneficiaries remain eligible for
anti-rejection medication following a kidney transplant for up
to two years, unless the beneficiary becomes eligible for
Medicare or private health insurance that covers the medication.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Annual costs of $500,000 (100% GF) to provide post-transplant
anti-rejection medication to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who had
formerly been on dialysis-only Medi-Cal and who would either
return to that program or require a new kidney transplant.
2)Reduced Medi-Cal costs to the extent this bill reduces the
need for a return to dialysis-only Medi-cal or a new
transplant. An additional transplant or continuation of
dialysis-only treatment costs between $50,000 and $100,000 per
year.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill creates continuity of treatment for
patients who are initially on a specific dialysis-only
Medi-Cal program which serves beneficiaries with chronic
kidney disease and who require dialysis. Dialysis is a
substitute for the normal functioning of the kidneys. It
filters waste products from the blood. Following a kidney
transplant, these patients no longer require dialysis and are
no longer deemed disabled for the purposes of their very
narrow Medi-Cal coverage.
2)Background . Under current law, Medi-Cal pays for
AB 2352
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post-transplant medications during the first year after
surgery due to a continued patient disability status under
federal law. As a patient recovers, this disability status is
lost and the patient loses payment for the medications. If a
patient has no Medi-Cal, private insurance, or Medicare
coverage, they are at risk for organ failure, a return to
dialysis, death, or a new transplant. The author indicates a
significant investment has already been made via the
transplant and patients should be afforded continuity of care
at a much lower costs than alternatives.
3)Related Legislation . AB 998 (J. Perez) in 2009 was similar to
this bill but provided the state-only benefit for a longer
duration of time. AB 998 was held on the Suspense File of this
committee.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081