Federal:
HELP Copays Act: Congress was in recess for August and returned just after Labor Day. The All Copays Count Coalition continues to work with Congressional offices regarding H.R. 830 and S. 1375.
Currently, the HELP Copays Act has 14 Senators as co-sponsors, seven Republicans and seven Democrats. Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, we have seen many more Representatives cosponsor the legislation, with the total now being 94. Thank you to all the advocates that have helped make this possible! Please stay tuned for upcoming meeting opportunities, bill updates and other federal advocacy events.
American Plasma Users (APLUS) Coalition: On Wednesday, September 20th, NBDF and members of the American Plasma Users (APLUS) Coalition met with members of Congress to discuss the importance of plasma safety and supply, alongside garnering support for the newly founded Congressional Plasma Caucus. NBDF would like to thank our Coalition partners, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) and the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) for joining us on the Hill. NBDF is proud to serve as Chair of the APLUS coalition during the 118th Congress.
To contact your Member of Congress to join the Congressional Plasma Caucus, click here. To learn more about the APLUS Coalition, click here.
Telehealth: NBDF participated in the American Telemedicine Association’s ATA Action Hill Day Sept. 19 as a member of the Patient Voices for Telehealth Coalition, meeting with six offices in the Senate and House to advocate for greater patient access to telemedicine services.
State:
Massachusetts: In September, NBDF alongside the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) and the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA) submitted comments to MassHealth providing support to MassHealth’s 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Amendment for Medicaid. These comments reinforced our community’s commitment to access, supporting measures such as retroactive coverage for Medicaid enrollees, continuous eligibility for all adults, and eligibility increases for marketplace subsidies to ensure access to coverage and healthcare for all populations.
Michigan: As the Michigan legislature is back from recess, the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan and NBDF are urging House Insurance Committee Chairwoman Rep. Brenda Carter to bring H.B. 4179, Michigan’s copay accumulator adjuster legislation, to a vote as soon as possible in Committee.
Ohio: Ohio’s legislature is back from recess and NBDF alongside the Ohio Bleeding Disorders Council (OBDC) have been working to move H.B. 177, Ohio’s copay accumulator adjuster legislation, through the House. Representative Susan Manchester, the bill’s sponsor, provided sponsor testimony earlier in September, and proponent testimony in the Ohio House Committee on Health on October 11th.
Oregon: NBDF and Pacific Northwest Bleeding Disorders are working on reintroducing copay accumulator adjuster legislation in the 2024 session. NBDF recently commented on draft legislative language from payers.
Pennsylvania: In September, NBDF alongside the Hemophilia Federation of America and the Western and Eastern Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s provided comments to the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission regarding their Essential Health Benefits benchmark plan, which provides minimum standards for state insurance coverage. We provided comments to the Commission stressing the unique nature of bleeding disorders treatment and ensuring that coverage is adequate to avoid the presence of “junk plans” that provide little to no health coverage.
Wisconsin: In August, the state Group Insurance Board rejected a proposal from the Dept. of Employee Trust Funds and its pharmacy benefits manager, Navitus, to include a copay maximizer in the 2024 state employee health plan following comments from the Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition and many patient groups opposing the plan. The GIB meets again in November, and it is possible the ETF could bring the proposal back up to the Board.
Insurance and Reimbursement Conference: NBDF will be hosting the 2023 Insurance and Reimbursement Conference virtually Nov. 1 and 2.
Thank you to all participants at this year’s BDC for your support of our advocacy sessions, and your continued advocacy of the bleeding disorders community. We look forward to continuing our work into the Fall and for the 2024 Legislative Session!
