Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
House Bill 1592 ensures more affordable costs for oral treatments in Arkansas
Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette
For many facing the battle against breast cancer in Arkansas, the financial costs of the fight can be overwhelming, especially when it concerns oral treatments.
But Arkansas recently joined 42 other states and the District of Columbia to ensure cancer patients have increased access to oral anticancer treatments, which, until now, have been out of reach for many Arkansans because of the high out-of-pockets costs.
House Bill 1592 was signed into law
on March 30, requiring parity in health benefit coverage between orally administered anticancer medications and IV administered anticancer medications. The legislation was authored by Representative Greg Leding, and will ensure patients in Arkansas are able to access the most effective treatment without concerns of bankruptcy.
Cancer treatment is continually innovating, with the growing trend towards orally administered anticancer drugs that are more targeted and more effective. Unfortunately, insurance coverage has not kept pace with this evolution. The result has been patient cost-sharing obligations that are much higher for oral anticancer drugs than for drugs delivered through IV administration.
A recent study, published in The Oncologist, found that one-quarter of all cancer patients chose not to fill a prescription due to cost, and that about 20 percent filled only part of a prescription or took less than the prescribed amount. Given that more than 1.6 million Americans are likely to be diagnosed with cancer this year, that suggests 168,000 to 405,000 ration their own prescription use.
The Arkansas affiliates of Susan G. Komen lauded Gov. Asa Hutchinson for signing the legislation designed to increase access to oral anticancer treatments for cancer patients in Arkansas.
“On behalf of cancer patients across the state, we are so grateful for Rep. Leding’s leadership on this issue, and for Gov. Hutchison’s support,” said Komen Ozark Executive Director, Lauren Marquette, “This legislation will ensure patients in Arkansas are able to access the most effective treatment without concerns of bankruptcy.”
The Komen affiliates worked closely with Rep. Leding to provide testimony at hearings and ensure outreach to legislative offices on the importance of this legislation.
The legislation, co-authored by Senator Greg Standridge, received nearly unanimous bi-partisan support.
“By working together, and ensuring access to quality treatment for all cancer patients in Arkansas, we can change the outcome for thousands of cancer patients in this state,” said Komen Arkansas Executive Director, Sherrye McBride.