Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014
Reference title: Cancer
treatment medications; equivalent cost-sharing
This afternoon at 2 p.m.
the Arizona State Senate, 51st Legislature, Committee on Finance met
for the second regular session in Room 3 to discuss the SB
1247, the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment bill (or FACT Act). The hearing was live-streamed
and introduced by Senators Driggs,
Tovar; Representatives Brophy McGee, Campbell, Carter, Gonzales, Gowan, Meyer,
Townsend; Senator Barto; Representatives Boyer, Steele.
The current Arizona state law, enacted in 2010, allows insurance
plans to charge cancer patients treated with oral cancer drugs much higher
co-pay rates than those treated with other forms of chemotherapy. This has
resulted in higher mortality rates than in other countries that have health systems with
easier access to oral cancer treatments, according to Pat Elliott, e-patient advocate. “Cancer treatment medications” means prescription drugs and
biologics that are used "to kill, slow or prevent the growth of cancerous
cells.”
The vote was seven for and zero against. There were testimonies from two committee members on the difficulty for patients getting through
cancer treatment. One spokesperson said that being against this bill is similar
to saying that dentists should use hand drills on teeth, because electric drills
have the extra utility expense.
Bill’s text: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/51leg/2r/bills/sb1247p.pdf
Fair access on the state level does not apply to medicare or any federal insurance. So these laws do not come to terms with the situation of most of us CLL patients who are 65 or over.
ReplyDeleteI do find your posts insightful and helpful.
Best, Diane MacKinnon, FDA patient rep and fellow ibrutinib trial patient.
Diane, please send me information on what needs to be done on the federal level. A group from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are heading to DC in May. Thank you.
DeleteThe Cancer Treatment Parity Act of 2013 (S.1879), which was introduced 12/19/2013 by Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, is a bill I am following. This addresses Medicare and federal insurances. Hopefully, the LLS will be able to give testimonies to Congress in May.
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