Senate passes Cano’s bill to cover kidney disease treatment for all Rhode Island residents

            STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation to cover treatment for Rhode Islanders with end stage kidney disease, regardless of their immigration status.

            “Individuals suffering through end stage kidney disease go through their lives with pain and torment, and their only relief comes from dialysis and kidney transplants.  For many in our state, these difficult times are even worse because they cannot access the live-saving treatment needed due to their undocumented status.  To let residents of our state suffer and die from end stage kidney disease solely due to their immigration status is simply wrong and I believe we as a state are much better than that.  This bill will help our family, friends and neighbors suffering from this deadly disease, which is the right and moral thing to do,” said Senator Cano (D-Dist. 8, Providence).

            The legislation (2024-S 2397) directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to provide dialysis treatment, as well as kidney transplants, to Rhode Island residents suffering from end stage kidney disease who do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status. This applies to both undocumented residents and non-citizens who qualify for Medicaid but have been present in the United States for under five years, making them only eligible for coverage of an “emergency medical condition.”

            The bill now heads to the House for consideration where Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) has introduced the legislation (2024-H 7398).