I would like to highlight the direct impact of PBM actions on patients, specifically on whether they can access the drug that their provider prescribes and the cost they will pay. Much of this is carried out behind the scenes and without regulation. However, that is beginning to change with more states passing bipartisan legislation to regulate PBMs and even the very partisan Congress is working on federal legislation that will hopefully pass this year.
Comments to MD Prescription Drug Affordability Board on HIV treatments
While we are supportive of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) goal of improving treatment affordability, we urge PDAB members and staff to address concerns surrounding access to provider-recommended HIV treatments at the individual level and the impact on broader public health goals and provide clarity around the affordability review process to enable meaningful community input.
Support letter to CA State Assembly Appropriations Committee for AB 2180 on cost-sharing
HIV+Hep strongly supports AB 2180. It simply requires that the copay assistance which beneficiaries receive counts towards their out-of-pocket obligations. By passing this law, California will join 20 other states (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Virginia), Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia in protecting consumers by assuring their copay assistance will count towards cost-sharing obligations.
Support for NH SB 354 relative to insurance cost-sharing calculations
It is a pleasure to reiterate our strong support for Senate Bill 354-FN (“relative to insurance cost-sharing calculations”) which would require health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to include any amount paid by the enrollee or on their behalf in calculating an enrollee’s contribution to cost-sharing requirements. Now that the Senate successfully passed the bill, we are pleased that you will be holding a hearing on this important issue and that you too will pass the bill.
Comments to MD Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council on reviewing prescription drugs
While we support the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) goal of addressing affordability of treatments, we believe that the current approach of the Board to set upper payment limits (UPLs) on the proposed drugs for review will neither benefit patient health outcomes nor result in reduced out-of-pocket costs for patients.