OLYMPIA, Wash. - Five bills aimed at reining in skyrocketing prescription prices are in front of a Washington State Senate committee today.
Between 2012 and 2017, drug prices rose nearly 60% statewide, while incomes rose only about 10%. Senate President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, is a sponsor of the bills getting hearings in the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.
She says people nationwide have to make tough decisions because of drug prices - and they aren't getting relief from Congress or the president.
"The fact is, states have been acting on these drug prices, because it's so serious a problem and the federal government is not acting," says Keiser. "There have been more than 60 state laws passed last year on drug prices around the country."
Among the bills - an insulin cost cap, a Canadian drug importation program, a tourism program allowing people to buy drugs in Canada, and the creation of a drug affordability review board.
Keiser says there has been bipartisan interest in the Canadian importation program, which would need federal approval, and also the drug tourism program.
Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director with AARP Washington, says some older residents have to choose between paying for food, rent and their prescriptions, and notes that Medicare doesn't always cover all drug costs.
She notes insulin prices are especially worrisome, with some Washingtonians on high-deductible plans paying up to $700 a month for insulin.
"We've also heard stories of individuals who might have two or three children that rely on insulin just to live, and we just do not think it's right," says MacCaul. "And we do not think it's acceptable that the pharmaceutical industry makes millions and billions of dollars on these medications."
Two of the bills attempt to control insulin prices. SB 6087 would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month. SB 6113 would create a centralized purchasing process for insulin, much like the state now uses for childhood vaccines.
A spokesman for the group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America says nearly half of the money spent on drugs goes to someone in the supply chain and lawmakers should address this issue instead.
Disclosure: AARP Washington contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.
Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.
Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.
"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."
Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.
Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.
"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."
Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.
get more stories like this via email
New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.
Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.
"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained
Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.
Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.
"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.
Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.
get more stories like this via email
New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.
The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.
"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.
Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.
Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."
"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.
Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.
Disclosure: Compassion & Choices contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Health Issues, Senior Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email