Assemblyman Takes Aim At Drug Coupons With New Measure
"Coupons may appear to help the consumer by reducing or eliminating their out-of-pocket costs but, in fact, are too often simply a marketing tool to drive patients to higher priced drugs," Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) says.
Los Angeles Times:
This California Lawmaker Wants To Limit Use Of Those Coupons People Use For High-Cost Drugs
Drug companies often offer coupons or vouchers to take the sting out of certain medications' high price tags. But one Democratic lawmaker says such offers actually contribute to high healthcare costs — and is proposing legislation to limit their use. Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) has introduced a measure that would prohibit the use of coupons for medications when there are cheaper drug options available. (Mason, 2/2)
Previous California Healthline coverage: Drug Prices, Opioids, And Obamacare: A Conversation With Assemblyman Jim Wood
In other news, California and other states are taking steps to protect patients when insurers want to raise medication prices or cease coverage in the middle of the year —
Stateline:
New Rules Aim To Keep Patients On Medications That Work
[M]ore states are adopting policies that prevent insurers from ceasing to cover a medication in the middle of the year, when a patient is still locked in to a particular plan, unless there is a good medical reason for doing so. The laws also limit midyear increases in what patients must pay for a drug. In the last two years, California and Nevada have adopted such rules. Florida is considering and Tennessee is expected to consider similar legislation this year, and Massachusetts has created a commission to explore the idea. (Ollove, 2/2)