WASHINGTON, April 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The
HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute (HIV+Hep) and American
Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), in
collaboration with 122 other patient and provider organizations,
delivered a sign-on letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier
Becerra that urges HHS and the Biden administration to enact
policies and protections that improve prescription drug
affordability for the American people. The letter details how
recent trends in the healthcare system, including high deductible
plans and high cost-sharing, have threatened treatment
affordability for patients, which negatively impacts adherence and
worsens health outcomes. The patient advocates encourage Secretary
Becerra and the Biden administration to:

- Enforce ACA Non-Discrimination Provisions.
- Institute Cost-Sharing Caps for Patients.
- Require Insurers to Offer Plans that Include First Dollar
Coverage of Prescription Drugs.
- Count Copay Assistance Towards Patient's Out-Of-Pocket
Maximums.
- Address the Role of Rebates and Pharmacy Benefit
Managers.
"While the Biden administration and Congress have recently taken
steps to make insurance premiums more affordable, they must also
enact policies to ensure insurance works for patients by improving
prescription drug affordability. The need for immediate action is
mounting as patients are facing significant barriers to afford and
access their medications amid the economic challenges of COVID-19,
harmful insurance policies, and trends in patient cost-sharing
requirements," said Carl Schmid,
executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy
Institute.
"Current trends in our healthcare system are leaving many
vulnerable and underserved patients with few safeguards from rising
out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications," said
Lilly Stairs, interim CEO of
the Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA). "We
look forward to working with Secretary Becerra and President Biden
to implement solutions that improve prescription drug affordability
and access for the American people and build on the foundation of
the Affordable Care Act."
In addition to the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and
AARDA, other groups that signed the letter include American
Diabetes Association, Arthritis Foundation, Easterseals, Hemophilia
Foundation of America, Lupus Foundation of America, Multiple
Sclerosis Association of America, National Alliance on Mental
Illness, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, and Susan G. Komen.
You can read the full letter here.
Media Contact:
Lauren Archambeault
(202) 471-4228 ext. 113
308360@email4pr.com
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SOURCE HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute