Word from Washington: October 2023
Hemophilia Federation of America and allied patient advocates cheered a Sept. 29 court decision setting aside a federal rule that harms people who rely on copay assistance. The rule at issue permitted health plans to implement so-called “copay accumulator adjuster programs” (CAAPs)—strategies whereby health plans accept copay assistance, but refuse to credit those amounts toward […]
Dear Addy: Medicare Enrollment 2024
Dear Addy, I’ve been enrolled in Medicare for a couple of years now and am weighing my plan options for 2024. What do I need to know about choosing a plan for the coming year? Signed, Medicare Beneficiary Dear Beneficiary, Every year Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the […]
Court Overturns Accumulator Adjuster Rule
Court orders HHS to revise federal regulations permitting harmful copay accumulators In a preliminary victory for consumers, a federal judge in the District of Columbia set aside federal regulations that disadvantage people who rely on copay assistance to afford their medications. The ruling is welcome news for patient groups that have long opposed so-called “copay […]
Word from Washington: September 2023
On Sept. 18, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released final regulations that will make it easier for millions of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to access help with their Medicare costs, through enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). MSPs are eligibility groups through which a state Medicaid program pays […]
State of the States: Fall 2023
North Carolina breaks budget impasse over Medicaid expansion Republican lawmakers in North Carolina finally agreed on a two-year budget bill in September, breaking the six-month impasse that prevented the state’s Medicaid expansion from going into effect as scheduled on July 1. Up to 600,000 residents are expected to gain Medicaid once the expansion officially starts, which […]
Dear Addy: Back to School
Dear Addy, With school back in session, I want to make sure that my son’s needs as someone with a bleeding disorder are accounted for at school. I have heard of 504 plans – what does this entail? What steps can I take to ensure that my son receives reasonable accommodations at school? Signed, Caring […]
Word from Washington: August 2023
Advocates are responding to yet another payer-side, cost-saving scheme that harms patient access to medicine. The latest version, the so-called “alternative funding program” (AFP), is a shady strategy pitched to employers that promises to lower health plan spending on specialty drugs such as bleeding disorder products and other expensive medicines. AFP vendors advise employer health […]
Update: Takeda to Voluntarily Replace Certain BAXJECT® II Reconstitution Devices
UPDATE as of 8/28/2023 Takeda, in agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has decided to voluntarily replace BAXJECT® II reconstitution devices produced by Baxter between October 2021 and January 2022 co-packaged for use in conjunction with RECOMBINATE™ [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)] and RIXUBIS® [Coagulation [Factor IX (Recombinant)]. Takeda has received reports of white […]
Dear Addy: In-District Legislative Meetings
Dear Addy, With Congress in recess, how can I continue to participate in legislative advocacy? Signed, Bleeding Disorders Advocate Dear Bleeding Disorders Advocate, Every August, the United States Congress embarks on a recess, temporarily adjourning its legislative business and allowing members to return to their home states and districts. The August recess tradition serves as […]
Word from Washington: July 2023
July saw mounting coverage losses from the national Medicaid unwinding. As of July 28, nearly four million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid since redeterminations began in April 2023. Three-quarters of that total lost coverage for procedural reasons, i.e., paperwork, and may still be eligible for Medicaid. In response to this dismaying track record: Also […]
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