Oct. 8, 2015 By Michael Florio
State Senator Jose Peralta introduced a bill that would help undocumented New Yorkers cover the cost of getting a kidney transplant.
Currently, some undocumented New Yorkers with kidney failure receive Medicare coverage for dialysis treatment. However, they are not eligible to get Medicare to cover the cost of a kidney transplant.
Peralta introduced a bill that would cover the cost for kidney transplants for undocumented New Yorkers, as well as follow-up doctor visits and prescription drugs.
At the present time, only Illinois extends this care to undocumented residents.
“It is time for New York State to become a national leader on this issue,” said Peralta.
“Morally, this is the right thing to do, and financially this is the right thing to do,” he added.
Peralta said that over the long term, the cost of paying for a kidney transplant is less than paying for ongoing dialysis treatment.
Peralta said Medicare spends about $110,000 for a kidney transplant and the first year of follow-up care, citing a study authored by the Division of Nephrology at Elmhurst Hospital. After the first year, the cost of follow-up treatment is about $27,000 each year.
According to the study, Medicare spends $72,000 on average per patient who is receiving dialysis treatment each year.
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Illegal aliens should not be Medicare eligible for anything.