Initiative To Curb High Drug Prices Gains Unlikely Opponent: Patient Advocacy Groups
The Drug Price Relief Act would prohibit state programs from paying more for a drug than the lowest price paid by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, but critics say it might actually cause prices to increase while not saving the state any money.
The New York Times:
California Drug Price Plan Is Criticized By Patient Advocates
A state ballot initiative meant to lower prescription drug prices for California faces an expected opponent: the pharmaceutical industry, which has spent almost $70 million to defeat it. But concerns are also coming from a more curious source: some patient advocacy groups. Called the Drug Price Relief Act, or Proposition 61, the proposal would prohibit state programs, such as California’s Medicaid, from paying more for a drug than the lowest price paid by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, which typically receives big discounts. (Pollack, 7/4)
Los Angeles Times:
What You Need To Know About The 17 Propositions On November's Statewide Ballot
California voters will be asked on Nov. 8 to sort through the longest list of statewide propositions since the PlayStation 2 was on the market and the St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl. The list of 17 ballot measures certified by Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Thursday offers a dizzying array of public policy choices for Californians to sort out this fall. ... Voters will face three very different proposals on healthcare issues, with one of the measures likely to spark a multimillion-dollar opposition campaign. (Myers, 7/3)