03/17/2021

Oral Parity and Copay Accumulator Bills Passed out of Committee

Below is an update on two pieces of legislation MSHO has been actively participating in and monitoring.

ORAL PARITY

The House Insurance Committee voted to move HB 4354 out of committee

After hearing final testimony on March 18^th, House Bill 4354 passed out of committee with 14 yeas and 3 nays. The bill will next be considered on the House floor, likely prior to the start of the legislature’s spring break, which begins the week of March 29.

HB 4354 would prohibit a health insurance policy from imposing costs or treatment restrictions on orally administered anti-cancer medications that are higher or more restrictive than those it imposes on intravenously administered or injected anticancer medications.

To view the March 18^th hearing CLICK HERE

COPAY ACCUMULATOR PROGRAMS

The Health Policy Committee voted to move HB 4353 out of committee

House Bill 4353 passed out of committee on March 11^th with  18 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 pass. There was no additional testimony taken, as the bulk of testimony was taken earlier in the week. The bill will next be considered on the House floor, likely prior to the start of the legislature’s spring break, which begins the week of March 29.

HB 4353 supports patient access to critical treatments by banning discriminatory copay accumulator adjustment programs

To view the March 11^th hearing CLICK HERE