Fair Access to Cancer Treatment (FACT) Act (HB2078) becomes law in Arizona

The signing of the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Act

 Pat Elliott, Governor Jan Brewer, Dr. La Verne

Jim Brewer (LLS), Pat Elliott, Dr. La Verne, Sen. Anna Tovar

July 1, 2014 the Arizona House Bill 2078, known as the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment (FACT) Act, was signed into law at a ceremonial signing at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center. The bill passed by unanimous vote within one year. My only disappointment is that I wanted it to be effective January 1, 2015. The law becomes effective January 1, 2016.

There were no oral cancer treatments 14 years ago, so the law needed to be updated to fit today’s innovative medical treatments. Drugs administered orally for cancer treatment should be covered by insurance the same as drugs administered intravenously. HB2078 offers fair and equal coverage for patients with orally-administered cancer treatments for patients in Arizona who are covered by health care insurance entities, such as disability insurers, health care services organizations, and hospital, medical, optometric service corporations (HMDO). For some patients the oral cancer treatment is their only option and not having access because of the high out-of-pocket costs means they will not survive.

Gratitude goes to the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Coalition of 21 organizations consisting of nonprofits, cancer centers, professional organizations, etc.) spearheaded by the Arizona Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Thank you Jim Brewer, Executive Director of LLS, and Shayna Diamond, patient access and education manager. Gratitude also goes to Rep. Heather Carter (District 15) who sponsored the bill after it was passed to her by Senator Adam Driggs (District 28). Gratitude goes to Senator Anna Tovar (District 19) for her role on the LLS Board and the State Legislature. And lots of love and gratitude to the patient advocates who joined me in giving testimony to the Legislature, as well as those who used social media to expose the inequity (i.e. Pat Elliott).

Thank you Governor Jan Brewer for signing this bill into law.  Regardless of what your political beliefs may be, this is one of the most life-changing Arizona bills that was signed by Governor Brewer for cancer patients.