Idaho lawmaker seeks to ban 'co-pay accumulator' practices for costly drugs

Representative David Cannon, R-Blackfoot, introduced RS 32178 on the House Health and Welfare Committee agenda, asking the committee to approve the request for a full hearing into insurance “co‑pay accumulator” practices affecting patients who take high‑cost medications.

Cannon told the committee the idea came from a constituent family whose daughter needs expensive cystic fibrosis medicines. “A co pay accumulator is an insurance billing practice where if a third party assists a patient with paying for, in this case, expensive prescription medication, then the insurance company does not apply that toward the co pay or toward out of pocket maximums for the patient,” Cannon said.

The bill as presented would require insurers to credit third‑party payments — for example, manufacturer coupons or short‑term assistance — toward patients’ copayments and out‑of‑pocket maximums, so patients do not unexpectedly face larger costs after assistance ends. Cannon said he hopes the committee will introduce the proposal and hold a full hearing.

Representative Fred (last name not specified in transcript) moved to introduce RS 32178. The committee approved the motion by voice vote and the chair recorded the measure as introduced and set it up for a formal hearing at a later date.

The proposal was described as an initial request‑to‑introduce only; no substantive amendments or statutory language changes were discussed in committee beyond the sponsor’s overview. The sponsor said he would stand for questions at a later hearing.

The committee did not take final action on policy during this session; introduction simply allows a future public hearing where stakeholders may testify and technical amendments can be adopted.

RS 32178 was introduced by voice vote; the committee will schedule a hearing to consider formal text and any proposed changes.