On this episode of the podcast, Terry, Bob, and Kate discuss their pro-patient agenda for the Biden administration. They’ve identified the following eight policy changes as the most important ones facing American patients:
(The Patients Rising Podcast has covered many of these topics in greater detail on past episodes. Click on the hyperlinks below to be taken to the corresponding episodes and blog analyses.)
- Eliminate the most favored nations rule, which threatens access to lifesaving medications for Medicare Part B patients.
- Eliminate copay accumulators for all drugs without a generic equivalent.
- Stop rehashing the same tired healthcare fixes such as Medicare for All and repealing the Affordable Care Act and focus on real solutions to help patients.
- Stop insurers from hiding behind federal ERISA law to avoid compliance with state-based regulations.
- Develop pathways for the FDA and states to improve access to new therapies.
- Stop incorporating flawed coverage recommendations from ICER.
- Pass the 21st Century Cures Act 2.0, which would improve access to therapies developed by the original 21st Century Cures Act.
- Stop other countries from freeloading off U.S. pharmaceutical research and development — a process that raises costs for American patients.
Kate talks with Tamika Felder, a facilitator of the Patients Rising Advocacy Master Class, who discusses the program and calls on people who want to make a difference in healthcare to apply. Tamika explains how single stories can make a world of difference in improving patients’ lives. She tells her story of being diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 25 and her journey from not wanting to talk about it to becoming a patient advocate. By telling her story, Tamika was able to change legislation in Maryland. Not sharing your story, argues Tamika, could mean the difference between life and death.
Listen HERE
