Kerry Demands Immediate Care for Burn Victims

[ProSense]

02/03/2009

Kerry Demands Immediate Care for Burn Victims

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today introduced legislation to provide immediate Medicare coverage for uninsured patients suffering from serious, disabling burn injuries.

The Social Security and Medicare Improved Burn Injury Treatment Access Act of 2009 will provide a waiver of the 24-month waiting period now required before an uninsured individual is eligible for Medicare coverage for life-threatening burn injuries. It also provides a waiver for the five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits.

“This is an opportunity to provide burn victims with the best possible circumstances for recovery,” said Sen. Kerry. “This legislation will help ensure that treatment for these types of injuries is immediate, comprehensive, and in the best interest of the patient. It will also provide burn centers with the support they need as we ask them to expand their capacity and prepare for catastrophic cases.”

Massachusetts Congressman Richard E. Neal previously introduced legislation to expand health care in the House of Representatives.

“Burn centers are a critical link to public health emergency preparedness. Medicare coverage for serious, disabling burn injuries would help preserve these burn centers as an essential component our public health emergency infrastructure. This legislation is about providing coverage for the many uninsured patients suffering from serious burn injuries and ensuring the survival of a vital homeland security resource,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

“Congressman Neal recognized the need for improving the law and he has worked tirelessly to do it,” Kerry added. “I’m proud to join with him in this effort and will work to usher this bill through the Senate. I urge our colleagues in both chambers to support this legislation.”

[rurallib]

1. What about people with large deductibles or whose bills

exceed their insurance?
I applaud Sen. Kerry for taking this step.

[karynnj]

3. On the "whose bills exclude their insurance", Kerry proposed gov't re-insurance of

catastrophic costs in 2004 and introduced it as legislation in the last Congress. Obama put the idea into the plan that he developed - so, it might be included in the healthcare written. The idea was highly praised in 2004 and since.

[karynnj]

2. I can't believe that ever was a 24 hour waiting period

That is something you need immediate care for. I really like the fact that he credits Neal for initiating this. As so many Senators write their press releases speaking just of themselves even if they are a co-sponsor, this is a breath of fresh air and a classy thing to do.

"“Congressman Neal recognized the need for improving the law and he has worked tirelessly to do it,” Kerry added. “I’m proud to join with him in this effort and will work to usher this bill through the Senate. I urge our colleagues in both chambers to support this legislation.”