Welcome to a special edition of Terry’s Hot Takes. Patients Rising is an organization that advocates on behalf of the 133 million Americans living with chronic disease. Like Congress, we still have more to do before the end of 2021:
Last week, we hosted health policy experts to discuss improving the uptake of biosimilars and the role of patient advocates. Our focus for the discussion lab:
- Potential of these medicines
- Misaligned market incentives
- Misinformation that discourages the use of this and other lower-priced alternatives.
We invite healthcare staffers to listen to the discussion.
My Response to President Biden’s recent drug pricing speech.
As Congress looks to wrap up the first half of the 117th Congress, following is a quick round up of Patients Rising initiatives in 2021:
- Patients Rising published its Pro-Patient Agenda for the 117th Congress.
- Hill-Only Deskside Briefing: Patients Rising hosted a three-part Summer Deskside Learning Series to examine all sides of the drug pricing debate and the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).
- Inaugural Advocacy Day: In October, patients with chronic and rare diseases, and those caring for them, met with members of Congress. The patients and caregivers, representing every region of the country, shared their stories with lawmakers and asked for support on legislative action that would improve patient access to better benefits and more affordable care.
Patient Perspective on Federal Healthcare Initiatives in 2021:
- How the American Rescue Plan Helps Patients: The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan helped patients with affordable coverage, expanded eligibility and helped address racial disparities.
- H.R. 3 Includes Price Controls that will Crush Chronic and Rare Disease Patients: Patients with chronic and rare diseases are waiting for innovative drugs and H.R. 3 could deny them these advancements.
- Biden’s Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices: What Patients & Congress Need to Know: The Biden Administration plan to address drug prices will have significant negative consequences for patients. Patients Rising strongly believes that to reduce healthcare burdens and lower patient costs at the pharmacy counter, lawmakers must address every part of the process, and all the parts that pocket the cash, including pharmacy benefit managers and health insurance.
- Government Funding bill and Infrastructure Impacts on Patients: Patients Rising NOW and its members are urging Congress to remember the impact their votes have on patients’ ability to afford and access critical treatment within the CR and the passage of infrastructure legislation.
Our work on ICER:
- Most people are likely unaware of ICER’s existence, let alone its considerable sway over the US healthcare system. Yet, more insurers and government officials are following its analysis when setting policy.
- A close look at the organization itself – how it operates and who it is serving – should lead lawmakers and healthcare leaders to question whether its findings should be allowed to influence the health coverage of Americans.
- Last Word Series: Patients Rising promotes pro-patient priorities for the agency that will end arbitrary metrics used by ICER that devalue the lives of patients, get patients out of the middle of the drug price wars, and reform healthcare finance.
Patient Voices in 2021:
- National Health Issues Survey: Patients Rising conducted a national survey of 1,500+ registered voters on national health issues, including patient access and affordability, drug pricing policies, and trust among healthcare stakeholders. Click here to access the survey highlights.
- Voices Across America: Patient Stories Patients Rising Now explores patient stories across Congressional districts. Our tool allows you to examine topics by district or access to care and affordability issues.
- Patients Rising Podcast: Listen to our weekly episodes and follow the Patients Rising Podcast via your favorite podcast app, like Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast. Special thanks to the Members of Congress and staff that participated this year.
On the first Tuesday of every month, I hope to add value to your inbox by providing a look at legislation and regulation through the patient lens. If Patients Rising can be of assistance to your office, please reach out to me directly via twilcox@patientsrising.org or at 202-750-4331.
Take care,
Terry
