Federal Updates:
HELP Copays Act: S. 1375, the Senate version of the HELP Copays Act currently has twelve cosponsors, and HR 830, the House version of the bill, has 56 cosponsors. The All Copays Count Coalition held virtual advocacy days June 21 and 22 with coalition representatives and patient advocates participating in 26 meetings with U.S. Senate offices.
State Updates:
Ohio: HB 177, the newest iteration of Ohio’s copay accumulator legislation, has been referred to the House Committee on Insurance. In the following weeks, patient advocacy organizations will be working with Rep. Manchester to obtain co-sponsors in the House prior to the bill being called up to the Committee, alongside hosting meetings on the issue with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and stakeholders.
Pennsylvania: On June 7th, members of the Pennsylvania All Copays Count Coalition and advocates hosted their Hill Day in Harrisburg to advocate for SB 372, the Commonwealth’s copay accumulator legislation. Ultimately, the Coalition had over 40 advocates attend, and held 25 meetings with Senate and House members, including Senator John DiSanto, the Insurance Committee Chair. Coalition members who attended in Harrisburg include the bleeding disorders community, the MS Society, the Arthritis Foundation, the Immune Deficiency Foundation, and the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Rhode Island: SB 799, the State’s copay accumulator legislation, ultimately did not make it through the House of Representatives in time before the Rhode Island legislature adjourned for this session. The Patients for Prescription Access (PFPA) coalition will continue to engage the House speaker and members of the House for the next session, as the Senate passed the legislation earlier this year.
Wisconsin: The Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition has scheduled a meeting with the State Department of Employee Trust Funds to learn more about the agency’s plan for the state Group Insurance Board to implement a copay accumulator adjuster in the state employee health plan.
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.
