Transplant surgeon

Hundreds of transplant patients, physicians, and health equity advocates join Honor the Gift rally on Capitol Hill to implore President Biden and HHS Secretary Becerra to immediately restore Medicare coverage of critical blood tests that detect organ tran

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), co-sponsors of the Living Donor Protection Act, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, Reverend Al Sharpton, civil rights and social justice leader, and Al B. Sure!, universally celebrated recording artist and liver transplant recipient, joined the Honor the Gift coalition and the American Association of Kidney Patient's (AAKP) Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, and other leaders in the field for a press conference on Capitol Hill, calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, and President Joe Biden to stop the current attempt by private contractors to rollback Medicare coverage for innovative molecular blood tests for transplant patients.

Key Points: 
  • The critical tests at issue help detect organ transplant rejection early and reduce the need for invasive biopsies.
  • For example, many transplant patients receive these sequential blood tests post-transplant to monitor their transplanted organ.
  • The results of each blood test can provide a potential early warning of organ transplant rejection and injury before other indicators.
  • Especially troubling is that some of these patients who have not received testing may unknowingly be suffering from asymptomatic organ transplant rejection.

Press Conference: Hundreds of transplant patients, physicians, and health equity advocates expected to rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, December 5 to ask President Joe Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: "Urgently intervene! Stop private contractors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honor the Gift, a coalition representing organ transplant patients across the nation, will be joined by Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), the American Association of Kidney Patient's (AAKP) Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, Al B Sure!, Executive Chairman of the newly formed "Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition," Rev. Al Sharpton, Senior Advisor, and other leaders in the transplant field, to hold a press conference on December 5, 2023 in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Key Points: 
  • University of Maryland School of Medicine
    In March, transplant patients' regular care was disrupted when a private contractor of Medicare called "MolDX" came between them and their trusted doctors and published an "Article" which tied coverage of non-invasive blood tests to invasive biopsies.
  • The alternative for such blood tests is surgical biopsy procedures, which are more expensive, riskier, and burdensome.
  • For years, transplant doctors could rely on their medical expertise and advanced blood tests to monitor organ transplant injury or rejection, safeguarding patients from invasive biopsies.
  • Now, as Medicare reviews the comments and determines the final decision on coverage, the transplant community is fearful their voices have been ignored and are making a public plea to the Administration.

Transplant Recipient & Music Legend Al B. Sure! & Global Civil Rights Leader Rev. Al Sharpton Announce New "Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition" to Oppose Medicare Cutbacks for Transplant Patient Blood Tests to Detect Early Signs of Organ Rejection

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Al B. Sure!, a successful 2022 organ transplant recipient and champion of the transplant patient community and universally celebrated multi-platinum recording artist, singer, songwriter, producer and syndicated radio host and Rev. Al Sharpton, a globally renowned civil rights and social justice leader, radio and TV show host, today announced the formation of the national "Healthy Equity in Transplantation Coalition." Al B! will serve as "Executive Chairman" of the Coalition, and Rev. Sharpton as "Senior Advisor." The purpose of the Coalition is to immediately reverse the March 2, 2023, restrictions on Medicare coverage of transplant patient blood tests to detect early signs of organ rejection.  

Key Points: 
  • Sure!, a successful 2022 organ transplant recipient and champion of the transplant patient community and universally celebrated multi-platinum recording artist, singer, songwriter, producer and syndicated radio host and Rev.
  • Al Sharpton, a globally renowned civil rights and social justice leader, radio and TV show host, today announced the formation of the national "Healthy Equity in Transplantation Coalition.
  • " The purpose of the Coalition is to immediately reverse the March 2, 2023, restrictions on Medicare coverage of transplant patient blood tests to detect early signs of organ rejection.
  • "It makes no sense to take away Medicare coverage for these underserved transplant recipients who can take these blood tests at home.

Honor the Gift disputes CMS' claim that there is no change in Medicare coverage of blood tests for monitoring rejection in transplant patients

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honor the Gift, a coalition representing organ transplant patients across the nation, along with other allied leaders across the transplant field, respond to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) press release stating that "neither CMS nor the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have made changes that affect patients' ability to have blood tests used to monitor for organ transplantation rejection covered when ordered by their physicians in medically appropriate circumstances."  

Key Points: 
  • The Honor the Gift coalition finds this statement inaccurate and contradicted by patients and physicians nationwide.
  • The changes announced on March 2, 2023, have alarmed transplant patients and clinicians across the nation, followed by an apparent decline in physician ordering of these vital blood tests1.
  • The Honor the Gift coalition and allies dispute this assertion – this is not a "clarification" but a change in coverage policy.
  • The concerns raised by patients, clinicians, and Congress emphasize the need for continued dialogue to restore longstanding Medicare coverage.

National transplant patient and physician groups ask President Joe Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to: "Stop private contractors from rolling back Medicare coverage of non-invasive blood tests to detect transplant rejection"

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honor the Gift, a coalition representing organ transplant patients across the nation, along with other allied leaders across the transplant field, held a press conference, calling on President Joseph R. Biden and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to stop the current attempt by private contractors to rollback Medicare coverage of safe, non-invasive molecular blood tests that can allow for the early detection of organ rejection.

Key Points: 
  • -- Paul Conway, AAKP
    Medicare coverage for these innovative blood tests became available for transplant patients starting in 2006, with coverage expanding in 20171.
  • The alternative for such blood tests is surgical biopsy procedures, which are more expensive, riskier, and burdensome.
  • See statements from American Society for Transplant Surgeons , American Society of Transplantation , and The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation .
  • This billing article was issued without allowing for public comment, including comments from the transplant patients who would be impacted.

Endsulin Announces Passing of Founder Hans Sollinger, MD, PhD

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023

MADISON, Wis., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Endsulin announced today that Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Hans Sollinger, M.D., Ph.D., passed away peacefully on May 15, 2023, after a recurrence of a previous illness.

Key Points: 
  • MADISON, Wis., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Endsulin announced today that Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Hans Sollinger, M.D., Ph.D., passed away peacefully on May 15, 2023, after a recurrence of a previous illness.
  • In 2016, after 20 years of research, he founded Endsulin, an early-stage biotech company based on Dr. Sollinger's proprietary technology.
  • Endsulin is developing a single dose, liver-directed gene therapy that enables liver cells to produce and regulate insulin, mimicking the function of the pancreas.
  • "The passing of Hans is a profound loss," said Endsulin's Chairman of the Board and CEO, Thomas Dee.

Leading Patient Advocacy Groups Launch Honor the Gift Campaign to Oppose Medicare Restrictions to Post-Transplant Diagnostic Testing

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 15, 2023

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading transplant advocacy groups announced today the re-activation of the Honor the Gift campaign, a coalition dedicated to advocating for greater access and coverage to ensure the long-term health of transplant patients. The reinvigorated campaign, which originally contributed to the successful passage of the Immuno Bill, will take on the latest challenge following Medicare's recent restriction of non-invasive diagnostic tests for solid organ allograft injury. Additionally, the coalition will focus on state and federal policies to protect and expand access to innovative tests that are vital to post-transplant patient's health.

Key Points: 
  • The Honor the Gift campaign will focus first and foremost on restoring Medicare coverage following the March 2023 release of a billing article that restricts coverage of non-invasive post-transplant diagnostic tests like dd-cfDNA and GEP.
  • A recent survey of transplant patients found that 95% believe reduced coverage for non-invasive tests would negatively impact their post-transplant care.
  • "I am proud to be part of the Honor the Gift campaign to advocate for continued coverage.
  • American journal of transplantation: official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons vol.

CareDx Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 10, 2023

CareDx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNA) – The Transplant Company™ focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers – today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • CareDx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNA) – The Transplant Company™ focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers – today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
  • Non-GAAP net loss was $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2022.
  • Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2023 was a loss of $6.4 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2022.
  • CareDx is withdrawing 2023 revenue guidance at this time given a multitude of unknown variables related to the March and May 2023 Billing Article revisions.

The National Kidney Foundation Honors Johns Hopkins' Dr. Tanjala Purnell for Transplantation Research

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023

This award recognizes the scientist or clinician scientist whose exceptional research has contributed novel insights to improved access to kidney transplantation.

Key Points: 
  • This award recognizes the scientist or clinician scientist whose exceptional research has contributed novel insights to improved access to kidney transplantation.
  • "I'm truly honored to receive this tremendous award for my research to advance equity in kidney transplantation," Dr. Purnell said.
  • "I am truly honored to receive this tremendous award for my research to advance equity in kidney transplantation," Dr. Purnell said.
  • "Achieving equity in kidney transplantation is an important initiative of the National Kidney Foundation."

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons Position Statement Supports Use of CareDx’s AlloSure Kidney for Organ Transplant Surveillance

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 7, 2023

CareDx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNA), a leading precision medicine company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers – today announced the issuance of a new position statement by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) supporting the use of CareDx’s AlloSure® Kidney for organ transplant surveillance, and AlloSure Heart and AlloMap® Heart.

Key Points: 
  • CareDx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNA), a leading precision medicine company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers – today announced the issuance of a new position statement by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) supporting the use of CareDx’s AlloSure® Kidney for organ transplant surveillance, and AlloSure Heart and AlloMap® Heart.
  • Supports consideration of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), as in AlloSure Kidney, for surveillance in kidney transplant recipients to exclude subclinical antibody mediated rejection (ABMR).
  • Recommends dd-cfDNA (AlloSure Kidney) for use in kidney transplant recipients experiencing acute allograft dysfunction to exclude rejection, particularly ABMR.
  • Recommends that dd-cfDNA (AlloSure Heart) may be utilized to rule out subclinical rejection in heart transplant recipients.