California Could Pay More Than $5B for Hepatitis C Drugs Under State Budget, Study Finds

A study funded by the California Association of Health Plans estimates that state programs -- such as Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program -- will pay $512 million to $5.1 billion for high-priced hepatitis C drugs in prisons and hospitals under the fiscal year 2015-2016 state budget. CAHP President and CEO Charles Bacchi said the costs are not sustainable for health insurers and consumers, adding, "It could be a huge hit to the taxpayers."

• "Study Predicts Huge Toll of Hepatitis C Drugs on California Budget" (Gorman, Kaiser Health News, 7/1).