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Cancer Advocates Applaud Lawmakers for Prioritizing Cancer Care
February 16, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 16, 2023 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds state senators for passing SB184, Prescription Cost Amendments, this week. The proposed law aims to address the high cost of prescription drugs Utah.
Cancer patients and many Utahns with chronic conditions face hardship when faced with medical bills, including prescription drug costs. This is especially true for newer drugs – including cancer drugs – that do not yet have a generic equivalent. To help temper high prescription costs, many of these individuals receive copay assistance offered through manufacturer programs and charitable patient assistance programs.
Insurance companies are using a new practice called copay accumulator adjustments. While these programs allow the enrollee to use copay assistance, the amount of the support does not count towards the enrollee’s out-of-pocket cost obligations. Patients are often left with significant and surprise costs. Copay accumulator adjustment programs harm patients by undermining access to life-saving prescription drugs.
“ACS CAN celebrates the passage of SB184 through the Senate and we applaud the senators who are making access to cancer care a top priority,” said Brook Carlisle, ACS CAN Government Relations Director. “We are one step closer to saving cancer patients money and improving their access to treatments and medications. We urge members of the house to vote ‘yes’ to this bill and look forward to Governor Spencer Cox signing this legislation into law.”
If signed into law, SB184 will help patients in Utah afford critical treatments by ensuring all payments – made by or on behalf of patients – are counted toward the patients’ deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
To follow the progress of this bill, visit www.fightcancer.org/utah or follow ACS CAN Utah on Twitter.
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