Witnesses urge H.577 to expand drug price options but say statute should clarify deductible treatment

Summary

Witnesses including the Office of the Health Care Advocate and AARP Vermont supported H.577 to let Vermont join a multistate ArrayRx drug discount card program, citing large cash‑price savings. Both urged amending statute to make clear whether discount‑card spending counts toward plan deductibles and out‑of‑pocket maximums.

Charles Becker, a staff attorney with the Office of the Health Care Advocate, told the legislative committee that H.577 would make a Vermont drug discount card program available and could produce large consumer savings, but warned that the bill should be clarified so consumers actually get the benefit.

"ArrayRx discount card purchases will not count toward your deductible or out of pocket maximum," Becker quoted from ArrayRx's public FAQ and said the plain language on the vendor website, combined with complex Vermont statute cross‑references, leaves open whether PBMs must credit discount‑card payments in practice.

Becker said the HCA supports giving the treasurer authority to opt Vermont into the multistate program because the card would give uninsured and underinsured Vermonters another price option at local pharmacies. He contrasted discount cards with insurer‑linked copay assistance, explaining that discount cards typically bypass a consumer's health plan and…

Witnesses urge H.577 to expand drug price options but say statute should clarify deductible treatment

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading