Federal Updates:
HELP Copays Act: S. 1375, a companion bill to H.R. 830, was introduced April 28 in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Marshall (R-KS), Kaine (D-VA), Murkowski (R-AK), Markey (D-MA), and Ernst (R-IA). NHF and other patient advocacy groups are working to have the bill included in a major Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee markup on health care issues May 2.
State Updates:
California: AB 874, which would restrict the use of copay accumulator adjustment policies, did not receive a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee. No further action is likely on this bill until 2024.
Colorado: SB 195, which would restrict the use of copay accumulator adjustment policies, passed the Senate and House last month, but must go back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. Staff and volunteers from the Colorado Chapter of NHF participated in hearings on the bill in committees in both chambers.
Massachusetts: The New England Bleeding Disorders Association (NEHA) alongside numerous patient advocacy groups as a part of the Patients for Prescription Access (PFPA) coalition have worked with Senator Brendon Crighton and Representative Daniel Cahill to introduce S.1230/HD.788, the Commonwealth’s copay accumulator legislation. On Tuesday, May 2nd, the legislation went to the Massachusetts Joint Financial Services Committee.
Missouri: HB 442 was scheduled for a hearing on Monday, May 1st for a second hearing in the General Laws committee. The bill was voted out of committee by a vote of 5-0 with no changes. HB 442 is now on its way to the Senate floor for debate.
Nevada: The Nevada Chapter of NHF hosted an Advocacy Day April 17 in Carson City. The group was introduced on the House and Senate floors along with proclamations recognizing World Hemophilia Day. Volunteer advocates participated in over twenty meetings with legislators throughout the day to raise awareness of bleeding disorders and seek support for SB 194, a bill to protect patients from payer use of onerous step therapy protocols.
North Dakota: Despite the best efforts of NHF and the Bleeding Disorders Alliance of North Dakota the North Dakota legislature passed, and the Governor signed, HB 1413 last week, which punted on addressing the use of copay accumulator adjustment policies and sent the issue to a study committee in the interim before the 2025 session.
Ohio: Copay accumulator adjuster ban language led by Rep. Susan Manchester was not included in the Ohio State budget. The Ohio Bleeding Disorders Council, alongside many patient advocacy groups in the state, are currently looking to introduce standalone legislation in the legislature for this session.
Oregon: SB 608 was amended to include the text of SB 565, the accumulator adjustment policy bill, last week. A hearing on the measure is scheduled in the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee for May 8.
Pennsylvania: S.B. 372, the Commonwealth’s copay accumulator legislation has been introduced in the Senate and sent to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. On June 7th, the Pennsylvania All Copays Count Coalition, alongside the Western and Eastern Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundations, will be in Harrisburg to meet with legislators on the legislation.
Rhode Island: The New England Bleeding Disorders Association (NEHA) alongside numerous patient advocacy groups as a part of the Patients for Prescription Access (PFPA) to advocate for SB. 799/H. 6159, the state’s copay accumulator legislation. The bill has been heard in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and the House Committee on Corporations in the last month. The House Committee on Corporations sent the bill for further study.
Texas: HB 999, a copay accumulator adjuster bill, was passed by the House with a vote of 140-5 and was referred on May 2nd to the Senate committee on Health and Human Services.
Washington, DC: The Council of the District of Columbia passed B-141 the District’s copay accumulator legislation on Tuesday, May 2nd. Councilmember Christina Henderson led the legislation through the Washington, DC Council, and the Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area has supported the legislation alongside patient advocacy groups.
Many more state updates are to come! Be on the lookout next month for further updates! Follow NHF on social media or go to NHF's advocacy page for more information.
