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Committee introduces RS32580 to replace earlier co-pay accumulator bill
Summary
The House Health and Welfare Committee introduced RS32580, presented by Representative David Cannon, as a replacement to a previously introduced co-pay accumulator bill (House Bill 219). The draft shifts some cost-sharing to drug manufacturers so third-party patient assistance payments may count toward patients' copays and out-of-pocket maximums.
The House Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday introduced RS32580, a replacement filing for a prior co-pay accumulator measure, after Representative David Cannon of Blackfoot described changes intended to shift part of the financial impact away from insurers.
Representative David Cannon said RS32580 updates the bill he previously filed as House Bill 219 to share more of the cost with pharmaceutical manufacturers that provide patient-assistance payments. "It seems like an unfortunate and unfair practice," Cannon said, referring to the practice of insurers not crediting third-party payments toward patients' copay or out-of-pocket maximums. He said the change should reduce the financial burden on insurers and, by extension, lower the likelihood of increased premiums.
Cannon framed the bill by describing a constituent, high school student Emerson Drolinger, who has cystic fibrosis and whose family raised the issue with him. He said the RS keeps the core protection for patients but alters how costs are allocated among insurers and manufacturers.
The committee's chair moved to introduce RS32580 and the motion carried on a voice vote. The chair said the committee will call back the sponsor when the measure is scheduled for a hearing.
No public testimony was recorded on the introduction of RS32580 in the transcript provided.
