Rev. Sharpton, Al B. Sure!: Medicare to reinstate coverage for “lifesaving” post-transplant blood tests, particularly for Black and Brown patients

Photo of singer Al B. Sure!, Rachel Noerdlinger, and Founder of National Action Network (NAN) Rev. Al Sharpton (from left to right). Photo contributed by Actum LLC. & by& Ariama C. Long, NY Amsterdam News & The Rev. Al Sharpton and singer Al B. Sure! were an unlikely pair of leaders at the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition (HEiTC), but together they made major headway in getting Medicare to reinstate coverage of non-invasive post-transplant blood tests after months of advocacy. For the last several years, blood tests that detected organ rejection were covered under Medicare and preferable to a surgical biopsy because they are non-invasive, can be done from home, and are less time-consuming. In March 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced& sizable cutbacks for transplant patients& and restrictions on these non-invasive tests. This was especially concerning for disproportionately impacted Black and Brown patients. “Health equity is a treacherous mountain to climb, but today, Black and Brown organ transplant patients regained access to a blood test that helps determine their health outcomes,” said Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network (NAN), in a statement. Steven Potter, M.D., is the kidney and pancreas transplant surgeon at Medstar...