Federal Updates:
HELP Copays Act: Thank you to all advocates who participated in the All Copays Count Coalition’s virtual advocacy days this month! Advocates from across the country encompassing many disease groups, including bleeding disorders, met with U.S. House of Representatives offices to solicit cosponsors for the HELP Copays Act (H.R. 830).
The HELP Copays Act currently has 14 Senate Cosponsors (S.1375) and 67 House Cosponsors (H.R. 830).
340B: NHF submitted comments in support of the federal 340B Drug Discount Program to six U.S. Senators in response to their Request for Information (RFI) seeking policy proposals about the program. Hemophilia Treatment Centers were designated as “covered entities” (eligible participants) by Congress when the program was established in 1992. Participation in the 340B program is critical to the success of the HTCs.
State Updates:
Wisconsin: The state Group Insurance Board, charged with managing state employee and retirement insurance benefits, voted 9-2 against including a copay maximizer policy in the state employee health plan for 2024. This was a victory for the Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition which led the advocacy effort against the proposal with the state Department of Employee Trust Funds and the GIB for two months. Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation and NHF sit on the steering committee of the coalition.
New York: The New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition’s Policy Director, Bob Graham, represented the Coalition at the New York State Executive Mansion on Thursday, July 28th commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Coalition also received a copy of the State’s co-pay accumulator law, signed in 2021, from Governor Kathy Hochul.
Be sure to check out our advocacy sessions at BDC! Find us at the following sessions held by the Public Policy Department on a variety of advocacy and policy topics:
Washington Insider: A Federal Policy Update
Friday, August 18th from 1:30pm to 2:30pm Eastern
Location: Chesapeake G-I Ballroom Level
Blood and Product Safety
Friday, August 18th from 2:45pm to 3:45pm Eastern
Location: Chesapeake D-F Ballroom Level
From Volunteer to Professional Advocate
Saturday, August 19th from 9:00am to 10:00am Eastern
Location: Chesapeake D-F Ballroom Level
Equitable Access to Behavioral Health Treatment: What People with Bleeding Disorders Need to Know
Saturday, August 19th from 1:45pm to 2:45pm Eastern
Location: Chesapeake G-I Ballroom Level
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.
