Federal:
Copay Accumulator Adjusters: On Jan. 16, the Department of Health and Human Services withdrew its appeal of a U.S. District Court decision in September vacating the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters. The 2021 NBPP included language allowing the use of copay accumulator adjuster policies by health insurance companies. The All Copays Count Coalition has been advocating for the Biden Administration to drop its appeal and enforce the ban on CAAPs that was included in the 2020 NBPP.
State:
California: The Hemophilia Council of California is co-hosting the inaugural meeting of the California Rare Disease Access Coalition Feb. 29 in Sacramento.
Colorado: Patient advocacy organizations, including NBDF, participated in a meeting Jan. 24 with Colorado Sen. Jaquez-Lewis to discuss her bill, SB 77, which would legalize copay maximizers in Colorado ACA-regulated health insurance plans. The Senator offered the same language in an amendment to SB 195 last year.
Ohio: The Ohio legislature has less than 10 session days remaining this year. Please contact Speaker Stephen’s office to ask for HB 177 to be brought up to the House floor.
Maryland: SB595, the state’s copay accumulator adjuster legislation, has been introduced by Sen. Stephen Hershey, Jr. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
Missouri: Patient advocacy organizations, including NBDF and the Gateway Hemophilia Association advocated at the Capitol in Jefferson City on Tuesday, February 6th. SB 844 was then passed out of the General Law committee and will be considered for the floor calendar.
New Hampshire: SB 354, New Hampshire’s copay accumulator adjuster bill, was heard by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on January 24th. Advocates from the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA), Susi Van Oettingen and Mary Fitzpatrick, testified on the importance of copay assistance to the Committee. The legislation will be heard again in committee before moving forward in the Senate.
South Carolina: SB 1024 was filed as a companion bill to the existing HB 3816. The bill is currently awaiting a hearing.
Oregon: Rep. Emerson Levy has agreed to sponsor the Oregon All Copays Count Coalition copay accumulator adjuster bill. House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee Chair Rep. Nosse has agreed to hold a hearing on the bill as soon as the 2024 session begins Feb. 5.
Vermont: H. 766, a bill regarding step- therapy, prior authorization, and copay accumulator adjusters has moved forward in the House Committee on Healthcare. Unfortunately, the copay accumulator adjuster provisions in this bill were dropped.
H. 233, sponsored by Rep. Cordes, another bill regarding step therapy and copay accumulator adjusters, will be heard by the House Committee on Healthcare February 14.
Virginia: On Jan. 29, the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation (VHF) joined the Healthcare for All Virginians Coalition for the first time at the State Capitol in Richmond. VHF advocates spoke to legislators about bleeding disorders, and HB 970 (Del. Tran) which would expand Medicaid coverage in Virginia. VHF advocates were also recognized by Delegate Tran on the House floor.
Washington: The Prescription Drug Affordability Board met Jan. 31 to discuss internal operating policies.
Wisconsin: The Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition continues to seek a vote on SB 737 (CAAPs) in the Senate Insurance and Small Business Committee. The coalition was successful in getting the Assembly Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care Committee to schedule a hearing on Assembly companion AB 773 Feb. 14.
Utah: The Utah All Copays Count Coalition is working to gain support for its anticipated Senate copay accumulator adjuster bill with House Leadership, which was a key obstacle to last year’s bill. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is holding an Advocacy Day in Salt Lake City Feb. 2 and will focus on the CAAP bill.
Upcoming Advocacy Days:
Iowa: Bleeding Disorders of the Heartland – February 7
Oregon: Pacific Northwest Bleeding Disorders - February 12
Oklahoma: Oklahoma Hemophilia Foundation - February 26
South Carolina: Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina - February 28
Minnesota: Hemophilia Foundation of Minnesota and the Dakotas – March 5
Washington, DC: NBDF – March 6-8
California: Hemophilia Council of California – March 18
New York: New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition – March 18
Puerto Rico: Asociación Puertorriqueña de Hemofilia y Condiciones de Sangrado - March 19
Wisconsin: Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation – March 20
Michigan: Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan – March 20
Colorado: Colorado Chapter of NBDF and Chronic Care Collaborative of Colorado – March 22
Ohio: Ohio Bleeding Disorders Council – April 9-10
Pennsylvania: Western and Eastern Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation's - May 6-7
North Carolina: Hemophilia of North Carolina - June 5
