How long Michigan cancer patients have been waiting?
In 2006 around the country the push began to ensure that cancer patients had the ability to truly access all forms of treatment. This started the 15-year journey that ACS CAN volunteers and staff would embark on to finally get fairness for cancer patients in Michigan. The main issue we face is that even though oral anti-cancer treatments are covered, the cost alone that patients face does not make them affordable. This leads to patients either not following their treatment regiment, financial problems of not having resources to put food on their tables, or a roof over their head, or choosing a different treatment form that could be less effective. For some people, oral treatments are their only option.
We have been fighting for 15 years so that those facing cancer can worry about fighting and winning over cancer rather than worrying about whether they can afford the oral treatments. We need your help in this mission to make oral treatments affordable for those in Michigan. Sign the petition supporting our efforts below or if you're a policymaker please sign our support message. We need to show all Michiganders that 15 years has been too long to wait to ensure that Michiganders can get access to their treatments.
MYTH
Many states that have enacted this legislation have not seen the increase in premiums that those against these efforts predict. In the chart below is data from insurance commissioners from around the country and you can see how providing fairness in the marketplace for patients has not seen the drastic impacts that the detractors opine.
"Oral Anti-Cancer Medication Fairness is a mandate."
MYTH
Oral Anti-Cancer Medication Fairness legislation does not force health plans in Michigan to cover a service or any new benefit currently not required by state insurance law. Michigan’s health plans cover oral anticancer medications for patients, so the issue is not about coverage, but inequity in out-of-pocket costs to patients whose oncologist has determined that chemotherapies that come in pill form are the most effective treatment to fight their cancer vs. those receiving IV therapies.
CMS has clearly stated in a FAQ document that an oral oncology parity law is a cost-sharing requirement, not a coverage benefit, and states are not required to defray the cost of oral parity laws.
"Patients can choose between oral and IV forms of chemotherapy treatment."
MYTH
Oral Anti-Cancer Medication Fairness legislation is not about choice and convenience to the patient, but what is medically necessary and in the best interest of the patient. Nearly all of the oral anti-cancer medications currently in use do not have an IV or generic equivalent and are specifically indicated as the first and most effective treatment for a range of cancers, making affordability to the patient even more urgent.
New oral therapies that are coming to market have different mechanisms of action than older IV medications. As these therapies become the new standard of care, it is important that patients can access these medications. Of the approximately 1,000 cancer medications in the pipeline, approximately 80% are first-in-class medications that take a novel approach to treating a specific type of cancer.
"This legislation only applies to a very limited number of insurance plans in Michigan, impacting only 0.09% or 9,000 patients."
MYTH
While it is true that Oral Anti-Cancer Medication Fairness legislation will not impact certain health plans exempted by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), this bill would still apply to as much as 35% of the market in Michigan. To address this disparity, oral oncology parity legislation has been introduced at the federal level, and until Congress takes action, states are working to protect as many cancer patients as possible.
The 9,000 lives that would benefit from the passage of an oral oncology parity law cited by Michigan’s largest health plan only reflects new cases of cancer in one year and does not capture those currently living with the disease and still in treatment, who could benefit from passage of the bill as well.
9,000+ lives may be insignificant to health plans and some lawmakers in Michigan, but the passage of this bill often means the difference between life and death for cancer patients.
Do you ever feel confused or behind on all the latest policy news affecting Cancer patients and their families? Michigan's very own Andrew Schepers & Ashley Hall launched the CANdid Connection Podcast as a way to bring the news happening at the capitol into your livingroom. Go to the CANdid Connection Website for more information!