Drug Pricing

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To fight the drug affordability crisis, Trump must crack down on middlemen

by | Jun 3, 2026

Most adult Americans take at least one prescription drug, and for too many, getting that prescription filled means battling the very system that’s supposed to help them. Insurance denials have become alarmingly routine. A recent study found that 70% of commercially insured patients face initial claim rejections for new branded medicines. And even when patients manage to access treatment, affordability remains a major challenge: nearly 60% of U.S. adults worry about being able to pay for their medications.

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Rely on drugs? Read the fine print

by | Jan 5, 2022

Over the next few weeks, thousands will select insurance plans for 2022, whether on a state exchange or through their employer. A health plan’s fine print hardly makes for riveting reading. So most folks just focus on the monthly premium, make sure their doctor is covered, and ensure cost-sharing responsibilities are manageable. But that fine print is important, especially when it comes to how insurers treat co-pay assistance, or financial help that drug companies offer to patients to assist them with prescription drug out-of-pocket costs. [This opinion piece also appeared in The Lebanon Democrat, The Leader/Observer, Forest Hills/Rego Park Times, Long Island City/Astoria/Jackson Heights Journal, Greenpoint Star, and Brooklyn Downtown Star.]

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We must make drugs more affordable: Patients going without meds can hike costs for the entire health care system

by | Dec 13, 2021

Falling ill in America is becoming increasingly unaffordable in a health care system that punishes the patient. Insurance companies and middlemen have taken away protections against health care discrimination and crushing out of pocket costs for people with complex and chronic conditions. Not only does this increase costs across the health care system, it also deters efforts to improve health equity and patient outcomes.

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California must join the 12 other states requiring insurers to count copay assistance

by | Dec 8, 2021

A health plan’s fine print hardly makes for riveting reading. So most folks just focus on the monthly premium, make sure their doctor is covered, and ensure cost-sharing responsibilities are manageable. But that fine print is important, especially when it comes to how insurers treat co-pay assistance — financial help that drug companies offer to patients to assist them with prescription drug out-of-pocket costs. Choosing a plan that doesn’t count co-pay assistance toward the deductible or out-of-pocket maximum could cost a person or family several thousand dollars per year in unexpected costs.

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ACA Appropriations Biden administration CDC Congress Copay accumulators Copay assistance Cost-sharing COVID-19 Drug Pricing Gay men healthcare Hepatitis Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV HIV Prevention insurer Insurers Medicaid Medicare Part D PBMs PrEP Prescription Drugs President Biden Private Insurance Testing Treatment Trump administration

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