On Thursday, August 6, 2009 Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) introduced S.1630, “The Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009.” The Lupus Foundation of America applauds and supports Senator Rockefeller for creating this important legislation which will provide Americans with chronic diseases vastly improved access to life-saving medications.
“The Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009” will protect people with lupus and other chronic diseases from high out-of-pocket expenses for their prescription drugs.
There are several potential new treatments in the near-term pipeline that may provide a better quality of life for people with lupus. But these anticipated new treatments will mean nothing if people with lupus are not able to access them because they are cost-prohibitive. For example, some people with multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disorder, may pay out-of-pocket in excess of $800 a month for access to new medications.
For people with serious or life-threatening conditions such as lupus, S.1630 will provide greater access and affordability for necessary prescription treatments. The LFA encourages you to join us in supporting this vital legislation by visiting our legislative action center and urging your Senators to cosponsor S.1630.
Act Now!
Go to http://capwiz.com/lfa/home/, click on the link "Urge Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 1630, the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act," enter your zip code in the box called “Call Now” and click on the “go” button. You’ll then be presented with the contact information for your senators, as well as get talking points for what to say when you call.
Please ask your family, friends and coworkers to call on your behalf as well.
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
August 12, 2009
August 10, 2009
Lupus Foundation of America Applauds New Legislation that Caps Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs
Provides Protection for People with Lupus and other Chronic Diseases
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandra C. Raymond, issued the following statement regarding S.1630 "The Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009" introduced on Thursday, August 6, 2009 by Senator John (Jay) D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV).
"We support and applaud Senator Rockefeller for this important bill which will provide all Americans with vastly improved access to life-saving medications. The proposed legislation imposes a $200 cap on the amount a person could be charged for any one prescription, and a $500 cap on the total amount an individual could be charged for all medications during any given month. This is critical to controlling costs for people with lupus, as a past survey has shown that more than 60 percent of patients take five or more medications.
"It has been 50 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a medication for lupus. There are several potential new treatments in the near-term pipeline that may provide a better quality of life for people with lupus. But these anticipated new treatments will mean nothing if people with lupus are not able to access them because they are cost-prohibitive. For example, some people with multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disorder, may pay out-of-pocket in excess of $800 a month for access to new medications.
"Studies have also shown that patients will avoid filling prescriptions, skip doses, or cut pills in half because of costs. Stopping medication can lead to greater disease severity, and for people with lupus, could result in organ failure. In addition, for people with chronic conditions it can often result in hospitalization leading to greater overall health care costs for both patients and society. For patients with serious or life-threatening conditions or for an individual with multiple co-morbid conditions, this legislation will provide greater access and affordability for prescribed treatments.
"We encourage everyone to join us in supporting this important piece of legislation by contacting their Senators and asking them to sign on as a co-sponsor to the legislation. At the Lupus Foundation of America we will do our part to ensure support for this important legislation and watch with great interest as it moves through the United States Congress."
Read the Official Press Release from the Office of Senator John D. Rockefeller.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandra C. Raymond, issued the following statement regarding S.1630 "The Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009" introduced on Thursday, August 6, 2009 by Senator John (Jay) D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV).
"We support and applaud Senator Rockefeller for this important bill which will provide all Americans with vastly improved access to life-saving medications. The proposed legislation imposes a $200 cap on the amount a person could be charged for any one prescription, and a $500 cap on the total amount an individual could be charged for all medications during any given month. This is critical to controlling costs for people with lupus, as a past survey has shown that more than 60 percent of patients take five or more medications.
"It has been 50 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a medication for lupus. There are several potential new treatments in the near-term pipeline that may provide a better quality of life for people with lupus. But these anticipated new treatments will mean nothing if people with lupus are not able to access them because they are cost-prohibitive. For example, some people with multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disorder, may pay out-of-pocket in excess of $800 a month for access to new medications.
"Studies have also shown that patients will avoid filling prescriptions, skip doses, or cut pills in half because of costs. Stopping medication can lead to greater disease severity, and for people with lupus, could result in organ failure. In addition, for people with chronic conditions it can often result in hospitalization leading to greater overall health care costs for both patients and society. For patients with serious or life-threatening conditions or for an individual with multiple co-morbid conditions, this legislation will provide greater access and affordability for prescribed treatments.
"We encourage everyone to join us in supporting this important piece of legislation by contacting their Senators and asking them to sign on as a co-sponsor to the legislation. At the Lupus Foundation of America we will do our part to ensure support for this important legislation and watch with great interest as it moves through the United States Congress."
Read the Official Press Release from the Office of Senator John D. Rockefeller.
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