Centros de salud comunitarios de Colorado se están uniendo a un esfuerzo nacional para rechazar los movimientos recientes de big pharma que dificultan el suministro de medicamentos con descuento a las personas que viven en pobreza extrema.

El CEO del Centro de Salud Comunitario Pueblo, Don Moore, dice que un programa federal conocido como 340B ha ayudado a más miembros de la comunidad latina de Pueblo, quienes experimentan tasas mucho más altas de enfermedades crónicas y más barreras para acceder atención médica primaria.

"Estamos cumpliendo totalmente con el propósito de la legislación," explica Moore. "Que es estirar nuestra financiación publica tanto como sea posible para llegar a las personas más necesitadas, que en nuestro caso incluye a las poblaciones minoritarias."

En los últimos dos años, los productores de medicamentos y los administradores de beneficios de terceros han estado poniendo obstáculos al programa 340B, según un nuevo informe que pide al Congreso que agregue nuevas protecciones. La industria ha afirmado que los medicamentos con descuento se están desviando a pacientes que no son elegibles según el programa 340B, o que los ahorros no se están utilizando para ampliar el acceso.

Moore señala que la ley tiene un proceso de resolución de disputas para determinar si los centros de salud no están haciendo lo que se supone que deben hacer. Pero las compañías farmacéuticas y los administradores de beneficios están actuando de manera unilateral, agregando restricciones y nuevas reglas que limitan el acceso a medicamentos con descuento en los centros de salud comunitarios y sus farmacias contratadas.

"Han tratado de reducir eso y mantener más dinero en sus bolsillos," asegura Moore. "En vez de permitir que esos ahorros fluyan hacia proveedores de redes de seguridad como centros de salud comunitarios y asegurarse de que las personas tengan acceso a medicamentos que son importantes para obtener buenos resultados en los pacientes."

El informe encontró que el 92 por ciento de los 1,400 centros de salud de la nación utilizan ahorros de 340B para aumentar el acceso para pacientes de bajos ingresos y/o rurales. Moore señala una nueva clínica que abrió en enero, la cual ya ha agregado de trescientos a cuatrocientos nuevos pacientes cada mes, y seis clínicas en escuelas, todas posibles en parte gracias a los ahorros de 340B.

"Estas clínicas son un importante punto de acceso para adolescentes y jóvenes adultos," dice Moore. "Pero no operan sobre una base rentable. Y utilizamos los ahorros del programa 340B para garantizar que esos puntos de acceso puedan permanecer abiertos."

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.


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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.

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.