Baker Bill to Help Cancer Patients on Its Way to Governor’s Desk
HARRISBURG – Critically needed legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for oral anti-cancer medications on the same level they do for intravenous treatments has passed the House and Senate and is now on its way to the governor to be signed into law, announced Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) author of
House Bill 60.
“Each of us has been touched by cancer in some way, whether a personal battle or watching a loved one go through it, and with new medications now being offered for some types of cancer that would be more convenient, more effective and have fewer side effects, we need to make sure insurance is keeping pace and providing adequate coverage for these medications,” said Baker, chairman of the House Health Committee. “Right now, the cost of oral anti-cancer medications for many patients is cost prohibitive, leaving them with fewer options for effective treatment. That is unacceptable.”
House Bill 60 would help address the cost disparity between intravenous and oral anti-cancer treatments. Currently, intravenous anti-cancer medications are typically covered under a health plan’s medical benefit, often only requiring patients to pay a minimal fixed co-payment; however, oral anti-cancer medications are covered under a health plan’s pharmacy benefit, and require patients to pay a percentage of the total cost of the drug, generally between 25 percent to 30 percent. With the average cost for a one-month supply of an oral anti-cancer medication costing $7,000, some cancer patients in Pennsylvania are left with a coinsurance cost of between $1,400 and $3,500 per month. This creates an enormous financial barrier for most patients to follow their doctor’s prescribed course of treatment.
“It has been a long road to get this legislation through the many legislative hurdles, but with widespread support from the medical community and the public, we are on the precipice of reaching our goal,” said Baker. “I am hopeful the governor will sign this legislation in all haste in order to finally bring about needed relief to so many cancer patients and their families.”
Baker noted that House Bill 60 enjoys the support of 23 health-related organizations. In addition, a total of 40 states and Washington, D.C., have enacted similar legislation to control out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients.
Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), chairman of the House Health Committee, spoke during a press conference on June 28 held by the Pennsylvania Cancer Treatment Fairness Coalition in support of his legislation to make oral anti-cancer medications more affordable for patients in the Commonwealth. The legislation is now heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Representative Matthew Baker
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepBaker.com